Friday, March 18, 2022
Lincoln Tapp became the youngest person to complete the North American Super Slam, the challenge took him across North America including British Columbia, Canada.
Courtesy of Lincoln Tapp
OSU student makes waves in hunting world immediately, he simply thought it was something his dad would find interesting. ‘That’s cool, I can’t believe people have done that,’ Tapp thought his dad might say. But, Jim’s answer was anything but typical. By the end of dinner Tapp and his dad started marking the calendar with plans to complete the daunting Chris Becker task. Editor-in-Chief “At that time I don’t know if I even thought about the possibility of doing it. I brought it up to A 9-year-old Lincoln Tapp sat in front of the him and we started researching it and kind of half TV at his Luther, Oklahoma ranch — as many kids jokingly, I think he said, ‘Well we have white tailed do. deer here at home, let’s start there,’” Tapp said. “It However, instead of a cartoon or a movie, Tapp was a moment I’ll never forget.” watched “Tom Miranda’s World Class Bow Hunting.” The North American Super Slam is a hunting After finishing the show, Tapp was intrigued. challenge where one successfully hunts the 29 bigAbout a year came and went. gest game animals in North America. The rules state During dinner, at their kitchen table one day, the hunter can pursue the animals with any legal Tapp sat near his father, Jim, and told him something weapon, which includes muzzleloaders, rifles and that was on his mind, The North American Super bows. It’s a daunting task which only 174 world-class Slam. Tapp didn’t expect his dad to buy in hunters have accomplished.
Tapp never found himself excelling in sports, it wasn’t his thing. He found hunting — his wheelhouse, his mental escape. A couple of years prior to that life-changing conversation with his father, Lincoln’s parents decided to homeschool him, something he credits to his development in life. The goal itself resonated with Tapp, it was a way to gain self confidence and a hunting resume, but more so to prove to himself his capabilities. “I was very young in my hunting career, if you will, and I wanted something I could prove myself in, have stock in and have self confidence in,” Tapp said. “I think that’s why the Super Slam goal appealed to me so much. That’s not saying I thought I could for sure accomplish it, in fact I didn’t. I didn’t have the confidence in myself to think I could do it. See Hunting on 6A
Spring break travel is back, and so are high prices Hugo Martin Los Angeles Times As COVID-19 cases drop, mask protocols ease and more Americans venture out to beaches, theme parks and other tourist destinations, travel is bouncing back to levels not seen since the pandemic took hold, industry experts say. The bad news: Airfares and gasoline prices are also reaching highs not seen in years. Eric Oh, a freelance writer from Thousand Oaks, is already feeling the pinch. He’s paying about $600 for a roundtrip flight to Orlando,
Florida, to visit Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and other theme parks — about $200 more than he paid a few months ago for a similar flight. “It both surprised me and made me a little upset,” Oh said of the increase. Jay Johnson, president of Coastline Travel Group in Garden Grove, called prices “shocking.” “I’m seeing hotel rates at over $1,000 a night for rooms that were less than $300 in 2019, and people are paying it,” he said. “Spring break is definitely back,” Johnson said, adding that he suspects travelers are
willing to pay a premium because they are so desperate to vacation again. Nearly 40% of Americans are planning to travel during spring break, up from the 29% who said they were traveling for spring break 2021, according to a survey commissioned by the vacation rental company Vacasa. The home rental business Vrbo has also reported a nearly 50% increase in demand for vacation homes this spring, compared with spring of 2021.
See Prices on 4A
Karlie Boothe Winners of the talent show were awarded a plaque with their name and the place they earned.
Students show skills at talent show Kendall Mcghee Staff Reporter
their phone camera lights and sang along with the participants. The winners of the event were awarded a plaque with their name and From singing to playing the ac- place they earned. The rankings were cordion, the Student Union Activities from first to third place, and a crowd Board annual talent show’s particifavorite award. pants show off their talent from all Claudia Dodd, a microbiology angles. and molecular genetics major, won the In the Student Union Theater, crowd favorite award with her rendistudents from all over campus attend- tion of ABBA’s “Thank You for the ed and cheered on the participants. Music.” Dodd’s strong vocals won the The crowd that came to the con- crowd, and they erupted in applause cert was involved and social. At some when she won. points, students in the crowd flashed See Talent on 5A
What’s Inside
Powerful Women Page 3A
America is influenced by many powerful women.
Construction Page 4A
The construction on Perkins Road has had an impact on the businesses along the street.
Afghan Refugees Page 4A
Stillwater continues to help refugees settle into the city in a variety of ways.
Page 2A Friday, March 18, 2022
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The mission of Global Recycling Day, as set out by the Global Recycling Foundation: 1. To tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue, and that a common, joined up approach to recycling is urgently needed. 2. To ask people across the planet to think resource, not waste, when it comes to the goods around us – until this happens, we simply won’t award recycled goods the true value and repurpose they deserve.
countdown to finals week
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Quote of the week “I made decisions that I regret, and I took them as learning experiences... I'm human, not perfect, like anybody else.”
Photo of the week by Branson Evans Bayden Root was credited with the win against Dallas Baptist, allowing no hits in two innings pitched.
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Friday, March 18, 2022 Page 3A
Lifestyle
Women in power A look at the most powerful women in history
Teyte Holcomb Lifestyle Editor March is Women’s History Month, so we are taking a look through history to find some of the most honorable and powerful women in the world. From billionaire makeup moguls to government representatives, women have helped shape the world we live in today, and here are just a few. Oprah Winfrey Largely considered one of the most famous women in television, Oprah Winfrey is nothing short of boss. Going from TV talk-show host to a full media and business empire, it is no wonder that Oprah has been considered one of the most powerful women for the past 20 years. Though on a TV hiatus since the conclusion of her show, she returned to Apple TV+ for an interview which featuring people like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Although Oprah is not in the public eye as much as she once was, it is clear that her name will be a household staple for years to come. Rihanna Known as one of the biggest stars in pop music, Rihanna has shown the world that she is capable of more than just making music. Launching in 2017, Fenty Beauty hit shelves at Sephoras all across the world. Shortly after the launch of the cosmetic line, Rihanna launched a clothing line under the name Savage. Although this is not groundbreaking for pop stars to branch out like this, Rihanna’s ideas took off. Five years after the launch of Fenty Beauty, the company is now worth more than $1.4 billion, making it the fastest growing cosmetic line in history. As Rihanna fans are
Courtesy of Tribune News Service Kamala Harris is widely known as one of the most powerful women in the world because of her advocacy and political background that she has in the U.S.
patiently waiting for the new album, she seems to be killing it in the cosmetic industry. Reese Witherspoon Coming as no surprise, Reese Witherspoon is widely considered one of the most successful and well-known names in the film industry. Beginning acting in 1991, Witherspoon quickly became a fan favorite on the big screen. Considered one of the most successful actresses in the world, Witherspoon branched out to other aspects of the industry. She started her production company, Pacific Standard, in 2012 and began producing movies like “Gone Girl” and “Wild.” Although Witherspoon owns and operates a media company, she is still starring and producing shows. Susan Wojcicki As one of the founders of the modern tech world, it is no wonder that Susan Wojcicki is seen as one of the most powerful women in history. In 1998, Google cofounders Sergey Brin and Larry Page rented Wojcicki’s garage to develop the Google search engine. She was then hired as employee 16 at Google, and handled everything
from AdSense to Google Images. In 2014, Wojcicki became the CEO of YouTube, and has advocated for increased wage salary and a $1.65 billion acquisition of the company. Kamala Harris Arguably the most wellknown name on this list, it is no surprise Harris makes the top spot. On Jan 20, 2021, Harris became the first woman, Black person and the first South Asian-American to become U.S. Vice President. Graduating from Howard University, vice President Harris is the first graduate of a historically Black college or university to hold the title of vice presidency. Although she is mostly known for being vice President, her political background adds to her credibility. Women across the world have created some of the most powerful and respectable empires the world has ever seen. From makeup empires to multi-billion dollar media conglomerates, it is clear that women help make the world go around. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
Karlie Boothe The OSU Talent Show was hosted in the Student Union Theater on March 9.
Talent...
inspired by Tommy Emmanuel’s song, “Guitar Boogie.” Koscelny said he was nervous before the stage performance, but when he arrived on stage; his nerves faded away. The crowd could sense his confidence, as he was on the ground “shredding” his guitar. Koscelny said he had never won first place. “I’ve gotten like third place before,” Koscelyn said. “I’ve gotten crowd favorite. But, never first place. So, it feels really good.” The Talent Show was a successful and an enjoyable event, giving the crowd and participants a memorable night.
Continued from 1A Jonah Kramer won third place with his accordion performance, playing a song he said goes out to someone named Caroline. Kramer had the crowd sing along as he played Neil Diamond’s famous song, “Sweet Caroline.” Ishraque Zaman Borshon won second place with her cultural dance performance. With blissful dance moves and cultural music, Borshon gave a striking performance. Sam Koscelny took first with his acoustic guitar performance,
entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Trailer Recap Connor Gray Staff Reporter
On March 9, saw The Walt Disney Company held their 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Webcast. This event was much anticipated for fans of all things Disney because this is a time when Disney can releases updates on upcoming projects that will be hitting screens soon. With photo stills being released a day before, and a poster a couple weeks beforehand, fans anticipated the livestream may show us the first look at the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” TV show, and Disney did not disappoint with these expectations. The trailer opens with narration from Ewan McGregor, returning to his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi, saying, “The fight is done. We lost,” as a slight arrangement of the iconic musical piece “Battle of the Heroes” by John Williams plays. The last time that Star Wars fans heard this music was during the final showdown between McGregor’s Kenobi and Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker in the emotional turning point in the entire Star Wars saga. Kenobi then says, “stay hidden,” as we see an
aged Ewan McGregor on the desert planet Tatooine, looking at the first reveal of a young Luke Skywalker, played by Grant Feely at the Lars Homestead from the original “Star Wars” in 1977. From then, John Williams inserts the beloved “Duel of the Fates” theme as we get our first look at Fortress Inquisitorious from the 2019 video game, “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.” We also see the Grand Inquisitor, played by Rupert Friend, for the first time in live action since his debut in the hit animated show, “Star Wars: Rebels.” His line, “The key to hunting Jedi is patience,” as he ignites his crimson lightsaber tells us everything we need to know about how endangered Obi-Wan is, and the risk that puts his mission of protecting Luke Skywalker in. There are faces and places that we see in the trailer that are both familiar and unfamiliar. Joel Edgerton makes an appearance reprising his role from “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” as Owen Lars, the uncle of Luke and stepbrother to the villainous Darth Vader. Other inquisitors are also introduced, like the Moses Ingram’s never seen character, as well as another familiar face from “Star Wars: Rebels,” in Sung Kang’s Fifth Brother. The trailer shows us a lot of Tatooine, which
makes sense because in the 19-year gap between episodes three and four of the saga, Kenobi must keeps a watchful eye for Skywalker on the planet. Aside from Tatooine, we are introduced to a planet that does not appear to be used and looks as if it takes a lot of inspiration from a Hong Kong aesthetic. As we view this world, we see a standoff between an inquisitor and a hidden character with a gun; eerily like Han Solo’s DL-44 blaster, but we will have to see about that. Trailer ends with the powerful music concluding with a mix of “Duel of the Fates” and “Anakin’s Dark Deeds” as the heavy and iconic mechanical breathing of Darth Vader echoes behind the title card. This first look at “Obi-Wan Kenobi” delivered a good tease of what is to come in this series and feels like the Star Wars of old days, largely in part to the music. “Obi-Wan Kenobi” premieres as a six episode limited series, with each episode an hour long. The series from a galaxy far, far away will land on Disney + on May 25,. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE 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.
Page 4A Friday, March 18, 2022
O’Colly
News Afghan refugees find home in Stillwater Kendall Suess O’Colly contributor As they left Afghanistan, their lives were forever changed. Tayyab Ghazniwal is a refugee who fled Afghanistan and lives in Stillwater. Ghazniwal attended a school where he learned English before the Taliban regained control. “In Afghanistan, I was a part of The International School of Kabul and the school was funded by USAID, so the staff was predominantly foreigners,” Ghazniwal said. “I was a part of that institution for seven years, but eventually the school shut down because of threats from terrorists. I continued my education through the online medium. I funded it personally through being a teacher in Afghanistan.” The U.S. had been involved in its longest war until last year in Afghanistan. During that time, the U.S. attempted to help Afghan citizens fight the Taliban. The Taliban and the U.S. government agreed to a withdrawal deadline for U.S. troops by May 1. In April, President Joe Biden announced he would order all troops to be home before the anniversary of 9/11. As the U.S. evacuated several thousand Afghan refugees in July, Stillwater became a place of relocation. The evacuation process from Afghanistan to the U.S. was not easy. In about three months, Ghazniwal traveled from Afghanistan to Qatar, Germany, Washington, D.C., New Mexico and finally to Stillwater. Ghazniwal said the
process for some families to get to the U.S.can take six months. “Unfortunately, none of these locations were properly prepared for us to come,” Ghazniwal said. “In Germany, we struggled with food and people lost a lot of weight. It was horrible. In Qatar, the food was fine, but there was no housing, so people struggled with that. It was a difficult journey. The refugee camp I was in was in the middle of a desert.” Ghazniwal arrived in Stillwater on Jan. 8 and lives in Oklahoma State student housing. Ghazniwal said the cultural and linguistic differences have made it difficultfor the refugees to adjust. “In the first couple of weeks some of the families struggled because there were less Afghan families here,” Ghazniwal said. “(The families) don’t speak the language of America, so they still do struggle with barriers, but it will improve over time.” To help begin to bridge this gap, Oklahoma State’s English Language and Intercultural Center created the Conversation Partners program under the OSU CARES grant.The program stands for Compassionate Afghan Resettlement and English Services. CARES conducts language assessments and figures out employability for the refugees. Assistant Director Shahrzad Mehrzad develops, selects and teaches the instructional materials for the 32 Afghan students enrolled in the CARES program. Newcomers are continuing to be enrolled in the program every few
Photo name Oklahoma State officials and faculty met to discuss topics including the resettlement of Afghan refugees in Stillwater.
weeks. “We offer two English as a Second Language (ESL) classes titled, ‘English for Cultural Integration’ and ‘English for Occupational Purposes’ for students,” Mehrzad said. “The former is designed for beginner students, and the latter is for more intermediate and advanced levels. Each class meets three days a week from 9-10:45 a.m.” After the refugees ESL classes, the refugees have Conversation Partners, where volunteers and students are paired. The volunteers range from OSU students to residents. Mehrzad said the topics include how to ride a bus in Stillwater, getting ready for taking a driving test and lessons in American currency are based on the individual students’ needs.
The classes and conversation partners are the primary instructional purposes in the CARES program. Mehrzad said the beginner classes are helpful for these newcomers who have little knowledge of English and need to be able to be a part of the Stillwater community. “The class for beginners prepares the learners for the important daily interactions and helps them navigate daily life in the U.S. culture,” Mehrzad said. “The ‘English for Occupational Purposes’ course focuses on workplace English and helps students with job hunting and applications. We are hopeful this program assists this group to be an active part of the community.” See Refugees on 7A
Perkins Road construction impacts businesses Channing NesSmith routine,” Johnston said. O’Colly contributor “Stop by and get their
Courtesy of Tribune News Service People dining at Blue Plate Taco in Santa Monica, California, as people take advantage of the warm weather during the COVID-19 Spring break in Southern California on March 29, 2021.
Prices...
Continued from 1A
planes at remote desert airports. The number of domestic flights in the U.S. is still 12% below what it was in 2019, with international flights down 21%, according to Airlines for America, the trade group for the nation’s airlines. Hotels, too, have not yet staffed back up. In Los Angeles County, hotel occupancy rates are expected to range from 68% in March to 78% in July, compared with rates that ranged from 50% in March of 2021 to 76% in July of last year, according to Discover Los Angeles, the county’s tourism board. Travelers who need a rental car during spring break are expected to pay about $70 a day, about the same as 2021, according to Hopper. The most booked domestic destinations are Miami; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; as well as Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to the travel website. At Coastline Travel Group, the hottest ticket is to Hawaii, Johnson said. Hawaii has ended its coronavirus testing requirement for domestic travelers who are fully vaccinated, so U.S. travelers prefer the Aloha State over bookings to Europe, where testing is required, he said. “We’ve done more business in Hawaii than before the pandemic,” Johnson added. The U.S. has also started to see an increase in visitors from Europe despite the testing requirements for international visitors flying to the U.S., said Jeff Karnes, executive vice president at New World Travel in Los Angeles. Even corporate travel — trips to business conferences and trade shows — has started to bounce back, which is good news for airlines and hotels because business travelers tend to book more expensive airline seats and hotel rooms than leisure travelers. Oh, the freelance writer, is an ardent theme park enthusiast whose trip to Florida will include rides on several high-thrill roller coasters at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, plus Mardi Gras festivities at Universal Orlando. The extra $200 he had to pay for his airline tickets stung, he said, but will be worth it when he gets on those adrenaline-pumping attractions. “I’ve seen nothing but rave reviews from the new coasters,” Oh said.
Spring break travel, typically starting in mid-March, kicks off just weeks after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it will not longer recommend masking in counties where 72% of Americans live. In California, indoor masking will no longer be mandatory at schools and child-care facilities after March 11. “People planning spring travel are like bears coming out of hibernation,” said Melanie Fish, a spokesperson for the travel site Expedia. “We are awake and planning to travel but not ready to go too far.” The rekindled demand is partially to blame for the higher prices. An analysis by the travel website Hopper says domestic airfares for spring break have jumped 21% compared with a year earlier, with hotel rates climbing about 30% from last year to near what prices were before the pandemic. But if you wait until the last minute to book a flight, you probably will pay as much as 45% more, according to Hopper. The average round-trip domestic airline ticket for the March 7 to March 21 period is selling for $290, compared with $240 for the same period last year, according to Hopper. Travelers who try to book at the last minute will face an average round-trip ticket price of $365. The average hotel rate for this spring break is $165 per night, compared with $129 last year and $148 in 2020, according to Hopper. Road trippers are not catching a break either. Already-high gasoline prices have been pushed to near-record levels due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has sent shockwaves through the oil market. Nationwide, the price of a gallon of gas rose to an average of $3.61, about 90 cents higher than a year earlier, with prices in California climbing to $4.82 per gallon, according to AAA. The reason for the higher prices is simple supply and demand: pent-up demand among vacationers who feel safe to travel after staying close to home during most of the pandemic. But airlines have yet to add back all the routes and seats that were available before the pandemic took hold in March 2020, when many airlines began parking idled entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
As Perkins Road gets redesigned, residents create a new driving routine, but they aren’t the only ones adapting to the construction. Matt Johnston, Aspen Coffee Co. owner, said the construction has not affected business because of the time of year. “January is always the slowest month of the year for us anyways,” Johnston said. “Mainly because people are trying to pay off their credit cards and they are setting New Year’s resolutions to drink less caffeine.” Johnston said he assumes the construction will have an effect on business to an extent, but in the end says it’s necessary. While construction is happening, his business depends on the customers getting into a routine. “Every day they drive the same route at the same time and they get into a routine and hopefully we are in that
With Oklahoma State University adding about 26,000 students to the Stillwater population, the students play a role in the future of transportation. Ashley Peterson, an OSU sophomore, said she does not drive on Perkins Road daily. “I am a full-time student and my day revolves around the OSU campus,” Peterson said. “When I do go places, I tend to go to downtown Stillwater, the super Walmart on Sixth Street, and the area of Perkins and Hall of Fame.” Peterson said she drives on Perkins Road about eight times a week. Since coming back to Stillwater, she has been back in her weekly routine. “When I drive on Perkins I go to Chick-filA, Hobby Lobby, HOTWORX and Dollar Tree,” Peterson said. “I add an extra five minutes due to the construction and associated traffic.
coffee on their way to work or drop the kids off at school. “When there is road construction, sometimes that alters their routine by taking more time or alters their path that may take a different road that doesn’t go by our shop.” Although some residents are forming new driving routines, so is Sam Ellis, a freshman at Oklahoma State University who drives on Perkins Road about four times a week. Ellis said this construction will impact him in a large way, for he is a student. He said time is limited for him, and he will continue to drive on Perkins Road to his usual stores. Ellis said this construction could affect Stillwater negatively. “The construction is going to add more traffic on Perkins Road,” Ellis said. “At the same time, I believe that it could have a positive impact on the future of See Perkins on 8A transportation.”
Branson Evans The construction on Perkins Road is one of the projects for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year plan to fix the roads.
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O’Colly
Hunting... Continued from 1A “I wanted to try.” A little more time passed. Another hunting season was upon the Tapp household. It was time to cross off the first animal on the list: a Whitetail Deer, an animal common to his 270acre backyard. The father-son duo began the work, and when Lincoln was 10, the first animal hit the ground. “I harvested my first deer with a bow when I was 10,” Tapp said. “And then at the age of, I believe, at the age of 11, was when I harvested my Coues Deer with a bow in Arizona that was like one of my first animals off the Super Slam list.” From there, the firsts kept falling. After the Coues Deer, he moved to Rocky Mountain Elk. Success. The motivation kept building and he began to build confidence. “That first fall when I was 11 years old was like my first fall of traveling hunting and kind of where I started to prove to myself that I could do some of those hunts,” Tapp said. At age 11, Tapp also got another gift to add to his resume — he was a TV star. He became the host of YoungWild on the Outdoors Channel, as the show followed his trek toward his goal. For some, it would add motivation. Not for Lincoln, his drive was personal. “Contrary to what some people think, I think a large part of the motivation for me came internally,” he said. “And so the pressure, the pressure that came from having a TV show was never a driving force and finishing the goal, if that makes sense.” Slowly, but still progressing, Tripp was getting closer to the elite mark of being part of the elite club to complete the Super Slam. But he was aiming even higher. There was no rifle or muzzleloader in his hand, instead, he carried only a bow and arrow. He was going after a list with 33 names on it, he wanted to be the 35th, and he was getting closer. “My confidence in my bow hunting abilities went from zero to 100 very quickly after the first 10 animals, especially one of those being a stone sheep,” Tapp said. That mark of 10 also signaled
Courtesy of Lincoln Tapp Lincoln Tapp’s final animal, the Polar Bear, eluded him for a while due to his trips getting canceled.
something else for Lincoln. “I can do this,” he thought. He found his confidence. “I felt very confident that at least if I, if I was diligent and I still had the funds going forward and the means to do it, that I would be able to eventually accomplish the goal,” Tapp said. The check marks next to animals kept climbing, and he kept averaging three or four animals a year. He could feel it, the goal he had yearned for was getting closer and closer. When Tapp turned 18, he needed just one more animal to hunt. This final animal stood between Tapp and the nearly decade-long goal of being the youngest to complete the Super Slam. A Polar Bear. Tapp booked his trip to Nunavut, Canada, above the Arctic Circle. The world had other plans. The COVID-19 pandemic halted his hunt in Canada due to the strict travel guidelines from the Canadian government. A year and a half go by. “It seemed like the polar bear was just the animal that had me jaded and I and I just couldn’t get that hunt on the books,” he said. Then, that changed.
During a hunt in Alaska for a different animal with his dad and a couple of friends, Tapp received a call from Shane Black, an outfitter Tapp had used to book hunts. It would be a call Tapp will never forget. “This is this is the hunt that if you think about it, I’ve trained my whole life for and I’ve been building up to, and all of a sudden, I’m in Alaska, and I’m here to start school like as soon as I get back from Alaska, but in a month’s time, I’m expected to be ready for the biggest time of my life,” he said. He had a hunt booked, and he was not going to let this slip pass him. On Sept. 19, 2021, Tapp, with his father on his side, launched the biggest bow shot of his life. On the receiving end, the final piece to his puzzle: a polar bear. The shot hit, and his goal was complete. Lincoln Tapp, a 20-year-old business management major at Oklahoma State University, was the youngest hunter — ever — to complete the North American Super Slam. “We were just elated,” Tapp said. Courtesy of Lincoln Tapp
news.ed@ocolly.com
Lincoln Tapp hunted the 29 biggest game animals in North America with only a bow.
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Friday, March 18, 2022 Page 7A
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Refugees...
level to get them set up in the community.” Tomlinson started volunteering Feb. 9. She said CARES gives the refugees a crash course of everything they Continued from 4A need, including documents, friendly Ghazniwal works for the CARES faces and a fresh start. Tomlinson found program and the Stillwater Public connecting with them as members of the Schools to teach English to the other community was essential. refugee families. Ghazniwal is a lan“It is important to empathize with guage interpreter, teacher and a familiar them,” Tomlinson said. “(The refugees) face for the Afghan families. had no choice in what happened to “I work roughly 30 hours per week them. It could have easily been us. The as a teacher at Will Rogers Elementary,” things they went through are traumatic, Ghazniwal said. “I specialize specifical- but they are kind, welcoming and rely with the Afghan kids, but I do have silient people. We need to volunteer to about three years of teaching experience get them settled and give them a warm so I connect with kids easily. I get a lot welcome in our community.” of attention from the American kids as The refugees have to start over well, so it’s fun.” with a new language’s alphabetical Ghazniwal said the students’ Eng- symbols. Learning things such as colors lish is improving and it isvaluable he is and letters is a challenge. Mehrzad said able to communicate with the refugees. CARES helps volunteers develop an Ghazniunderstanding of wal said what working with I specialize specifically with OSU and teaching Engand the the Afghan kids, but I do have about lish looks like to a CARES group of refugees. three years of teaching experience program “The benefits have been for the volunteers so I connect with kids easily benefican be at a personTayyab Ghazniwal cialfor the al and professional Refugee education level,” Mehrzad of adults said. “On the and children. personal level, volunteers get to know Ghazniwal said the refugees’ Eng- people from a different part of the world lish classes for the children are getting and appreciate the culture, worldviews a lot of attention, but the adult classes and traditions these Afghan newcomcould be improved on. ers bring with them. This is needed “I have been a direct witness to especially in a community that values (CARES) having a positive improvecultural diversity.” ment on the kids,” Ghazniwal said. “In Mehrzad said bringing people the first couple of weeks, there was less together in the CARES program can improvement because of the struggle create a sense of cooperation and underto adapt to a new environment, but as standing for one another. Mehrzad said we let go of all of the fear and people the ability to develop an awareness of become familiarized in our brainswe the Middle Eastern culture and the life are able to learnand develop English values this group of refugees holds will abilities.” hopefully broaden the horizons of the The community has responded volunteers. generously to the refugees, and volunBringing the refugees to Stillwater teers have started working with them and involving them in OSU has created one-on-one through the conversation a more personalized experience for the partners program. Mackenzie Tomlinrefugees integrating into the commuson is an English master’s student at nity. Randy Kluver,dean of the School OSU who was encouraged to join the of Global Studies and Partnerships,has program because of her experience been heavily involved in the OSU reteaching Composition I. settlement effort for refugees from Tulsa “I am paired up with the refugees to Stillwater. depending on their level of English,” “(Stillwater) is a better fit for Tomlinson said. “I work with them on so many reasons,” Kluver said. “The conversation English so that they can go refugees in Stillwater all started in out and participate in the community. Tulsa and moved here. The (refugees) We are also working on (the refugees) who moved here find it is much more getting their driver’s license and GEDs, hospitable. They are being able to have so we have been studying for those a smaller group of people working with tests. We must cater to all of the differ- them, and their housing is a short disent needs regardless of their English tance away from their English classes
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Courtesy of Tribune News Service An Afghan family with new toys from the supply tent walk through an Afghan refugee camp on Nov. 4, 2021, in Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
and the Islamic center.” Kluver said overall, the move is helping them significantly. A more personalized experience in Stillwater is beneficial. OSU has a diverse community with a lot of international students and faculty. Kluver said the volunteers in CARES have been remarkably helpful. Volunteers from all over the town have been taking people to stores, donating and helping teach English. Kluver said he thinks the response is coming from a place of gratitude. “Most of the Afghan refugees put their lives on the line helping Americans,” Kluver said. “(Volunteering) is a way for us to show our gratitude to the refugees for the help they gave to us when we were in their country.” The focus is on getting the refugees here and signed up for the program, for there arepeople moving to Stillwater once or twice a week. The refugees can have access to the OSU bus network and receive help looking for jobs. It is harder for the refugees to get around big cities without cars. The university also is bringing Afghan students who are registering at OSU. Ghazniwal is one of the students attending OSU. He is enrolled as a part-time student in six credit hours this semester. Kluver said the university has enrolled two refugees. “Being able to give them highquality English instruction, which they often wouldn’t get elsewhere, is going to help them make progress quickly,” Kluver said. “They will be able to become
employable much quicker.” Adding to the CARES grant, OSU works with the Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma for refugees resettled in Stillwater to create the Afghan Family Project. Kluver works closely with this project as the communication between the programs. “Catholic Charities only has a 90-day contact to resettle (the refugees),” Kluver said. “As of May 1, that contract will be over. We are thinking about what happens after that date until everybody learns English. We know we will offer ESL instruction for up to a year. There will be additional services like job training that are going to need additional help.” St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is the local branch of Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma. The Rev. Kerry Wakulich has seen resources coming to OSU from different parts of Oklahoma for the refugees. Some of the food, clothing and money donations are coming from the Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma’s immigration offices of Tulsa and Oklahoma City. “As a group, the Catholics of Oklahoma decided we need to help Afghan refugees,” Wakulich said. “We have several families here that are living in rentals and trying to learn English at OSU. The volunteers are also helping them through donations of giving them gift cards to the Himalayan Grocery Store where they can buy their cultural foods.” Read full story at ocolly.com
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Page 8A Friday, March 18, 2022
Perkins... Continued from 4A “The construction could affect Stillwater in a negative way by producing more traffic in the already busy intersection and deter potential customers from the businesses in the area.” Peterson said on game days it will impact Stillwater, for the city is busy without construction. “The construction helps Stillwater roads become safer and better for the future,” Peterson said. “In the end, the construction is needed.” The Perkins Road construction project will be a continuous project and done in phases. Stillwater and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation are working together on the project. Some say Perkins Road is one of the busiest roads in Stillwater, and construction is necessary. Monty Karnes, engineering director, started working with Stillwater in May 2017 and said the discussion of construction on Perkins Road began before then. “I’ve been in the community for a long time, and I know in 2015 they started working on it,” Karnes said. “It’s been a goal for seven to 10 years.” Stillwater is working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportationto finance the $18 million project. Stillwater is financing about $3.4 million, and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation finances the rest. “The City of Stillwater’s responsibility is to provide the engineering, to purchase the right of way or easements that have been needed,” Karnes said. “And they are responsible for any cost to relocate utilities.” The design begins on Perkins Road and Hall of Fame Avenue, continuing north to Lakeview Road. The construction began in December at Perkins Road and Hall of Fame Avenue on the northbound lane. Improving the drainage system on the northbound lanes is the city’s first focus with construction. Once the northbound lane is completed, the construction will be repeated on the southbound lanes. In the summer, the plan is to close the middle lanes, and Perkins Road will be limited to one lane on each side. Karnes said there will be significant changes to Perkins Road. “At the McElroy intersection, it will be widened so there are double left turn lanes in all four directions,” Karnes said. “Which then means that McElroy gets rebuilt about 300 feet either side of the intersection.”
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Karnes said there will be new stoplights installed as well. Heading north from McElroy to Lakeview, it will become a five-lane road. There will be two lanes in each direction with a turn lane in the middle. This 1-mile road will be replaced with concrete and widened about 10 feet on each side for active transportation pads. Bikers and commuters can travel safely and avoid stalling traffic when using the transportation pads. “The big benefit is adding these active transportation pads, it gives people the ability to ride their bike and maybe not drive,” Karnes said. “We can move people back and forth and make it safer.” Karnes said some of Stillwater’s highest traffic counts are in that area. It also has some of Stillwater’s highest retail value. Adding left turn lanes is one benefit of the road construction. Karnes said this will reduce traffic and the amount of accidents. “Traffic flows smoother and flows safer,” Karnes said. “You can access businesses easier which is good for the public so they can get where they shop; it’s good for the businesses and sales tax.” Karnes said some people understand the challenge of taking on a project this size. He said to expect congestion and plan extra time when driving on Perkins Road. Although Stillwater is responsible for the engineering, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, is responsible for financing the construction. Branson Evans When deciding whether to use asphalt or concrete, the Oklahoma Department The construction on Perkins Road is expected to go on for at least two years. of Transportation chose to use concrete, Salim said. “Later in this project you needs a better flow of traffic. for it lasts longer and requires less will see it narrow to one lane in each Although the price of this twomaintenance. direction for a period of time, but we year project seems expensive to some, The Oklahoma Department of will not fully close it.” Shearer-Salim said there are other facTransportation is working with StillIf weather permits and progtors to consider. water on this project because Perkins ress continues throughout the spring “You have a lot of material costs, Road is a state highway. Lisa Shearerlabor costs and utility costs that go into Salim, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma and summer, the contractor plan is to the cost of construction,” Shearer-Salim Department of Transportation, said the suspend work in the fall for football season. Once football season has ended, said. Oklahoma Department of TransportaThe Perkins Road project is one of tion is financing about $14.6 million of work will resume. “The contractor is phasing the the projects for the Oklahoma Departthe $18 million project on Perkins Road. work so that it can be fully open on ment of Transportation’s eight-year plan “The department builds and OSU game days,” Shearer-Salim said. to fix the roads. The goal with the plan maintains the state highway system,” Shearer-Salim said. “Currently the work “We recognize the huge influx of traffic is to be as transparent with the public as that comes through that area for game possible. is focused just outside the edge of the days and it is built into the contract to “Every project in the eight-year travel lane.” have all four lanes open during the fall plan is designed to either update aging Shearer-Salim said by spring the semester.” infrastructure, make safety improveOklahoma Department of TransportaBy phasing the work, it will allow ments and modernize some of our tion anticipates it will work on paveinfrastructure,” Shearer-Salim said. ment reconstruction in the middle lanes. businesses on Perkins Road to benefit during football season. Shearer-Salim “Because we are seeing a lot of traffic Because Perkins Road is a state highgrowth in the many areas across the way, US-177, the Oklahoma Department said infrastructure is critical to the state.” of Transportation has the ability to close economy, and it recognizes Stillwater has higher economic growth in the fall. the road, but it’s not in the plans. “We work under traffic,” Shearer- She said to grow Stillwater’s economy it news.ed@ocolly.com
What two future Cowboys offer Sam Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor Coach Mike Boynton can’t afford to miss. OSU is at a recruiting disadvantage. In November, the NCAA upheld a three-year probationary period imposed in connection with a 2017 self-reported
violation involving former assistant coach Lamont Evans. Though the infractions were committed five years ago, the punishments are just taking effect. Aside from a 2022 postseason ban, one of the harshest stipulations Boynton and OSU must navigate is a reduction in scholarships. The Cowboys lost three scholarships over the next three years. It makes the bench a little shallower and increases the need for players who are awarded scholarships to pan out. OSU has just one player committed for the 2022 class, and one player committed in the class of ‘23. So who are the two players entrusted with suddenly
limited full rides? Quion Williams, class of ‘22 Williams, a 6-foot-4 guard who wrapped up his high school career at Jonesboro in Arkansas, will join the Cowboys next year on a hot streak. Jonesboro won the 5A Arkansas state tournament and was the undefeated conference champion. Williams, a four-star recruit according to 247 Sports, chose OSU over Texas A&M, Houston, TCU and others. His primary asset is his relentless motor and high-energy style, something Boynton spoke highly of in a press release. See Cowboys on 2B
Strategy behind Roe’s championship run
Future focused
Molly Jolliff
OSU’s 133-pound wrester Daton Fix will attempt to win his first national title in Detroit this weekend.
Fix eyeing first national title fuels his drive for a title, renewed again at the NCAA Championships in Detroit, Michigan. He’s been in this spot before. He was the tournament’s No. 1 seed Adam Engel twice and both times lost. Staff Reporter Now, he’s seeded No. 2, despite an undefeated Daton Fix’s first at- record, making him an tempt at wrestling lasted underdog of sorts at 133 a single practice. pounds. The failure to Long before Fix win a national champibecame OSU’s star onship has resulted in 133-pounder, his granddozens of jokes on social pa, David, shared advice media. Trolls and hatthat shaped his prodiers take shots at Fix for gious career. his second-best pattern. One practice was This year, Fix thinks, is enough. different. Since that long-ago, “Win it,” he said. but not forgotten experi- “It’s pretty simple. Obvience, Fix’s star has risen, ously, I’ve been there nationally and globally. twice, and I’ve had two And yet, he feels delayed, heartbreaking finished again. Delayed in winbut I’m as confident as ning an elusive national ever going into this one. championship, which Even more confident
than the last two times I’ve been to the National Championships. I think that I’m a better wrestler than I was the previous two years and I really like where my wrestling is at right now.” Fix’s title search carries the majority of OSU’s optimism at the national tournament. A once undefeated season quickly crumbled with injuries and inconsistency. Returning national champion AJ Ferrari, the team’s poster boy for positivity, lost a chance at a repeat after a car crash in January and sat out the remainder of the season. Travis Wittlake, a returning All-American, sustained a left knee injury and missed out on Detroit. OSU is far from a favorite, clinging to Fix for its best chance at any
success. Perhaps Fix wouldn’t be in this position without David Fix’s advice. With Daton’s father, Derek, in Michigan to officiate wrestling duals, David Fix took Fix to his first wrestling practice as a kindergartener. David Fix, a wrestling lifer who coached his sons to numerous state titles in Colorado, couldn’t stomach the scene. Soon, he was on the phone with Derek Fix, eagerly awaiting word on his son’s first practice. The message, however, was not what Derek Fix expected to hear. But it shaped his son’s future in wrestling.
See Focused on 6B
Smith said he isn’t a gambler by nature, either, but the strategy to start out slow was adopted to highlight Roe’s strength and endurance. Ben Hutchens “Strategically, it was Staff Reporter a great move,” Smith said. “It paid off, obviously. But Taylor Roe said by it’s risky because when you kind of go with almost nature she is not a risk taker. everything you’ve got from Part of what makes not far out you can misRoe, an Oklahoma State time it and misjudge it and junior, winning the come up about 100 meters NCAA Championship in short and then pretty soon the women’s 3,000-meter everybody comes back on special is the risk she you because you sort of took to do it. stagger down the home Roe hung in the back of the pack in Satur- stretch.” Smith said the reason day’s race. She followed he wanted Roe to make the verbal commands of coach Dave Smith, her way to the front at who yelled instructions the 1,000-meter mark is to push to the front with because that is when the 1,000 meters left. Smith psychology of the race was also there for a hug changes. More runners are when Roe finished first, likely to take off at that bringing home OSU’s first point and Roe had to be NCAA Championship in cross country or track part of that group. since Sinclaire Johnson See Taylor on 4B in 2019.
Cottrill rediscovering softball love at OSU after Florida stint
Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
already chose where she wanted to attend college and play softball: The University of Florida with assistant coach Kenny Gajewski. A year later, Cottrill and Gajewski both moved to Stillwater, where Cottrill would attend high school and Gajewski would become OSU’s head softball coach. Cottrill kept her commitment to Florida after high school, and played 74 games as the Gators starting catcher over two years, until she lost interest in softball and went through mental health struggles. The best solution for the junior in college was simple — return to Stillwater and transfer to OSU.
Julia Cottirll walked up to the batter’s box, then blasted a home run which landed less than one mile from Stillwater High School. It was her first hit at Cowgirl Stadium. Cottrill, OSU’s junior catcher, dreamt of playing at OSU. But it was delayed by two and a half years. Cottrill moved to Stillwater after her freshman year of high school, when her father, Jeff, accepted a job as an assistant coach at OSU. Before she moved, Cottrill See Cottrill on 4B
What’s Inside
Hot Stuff Page 2B
Davis’ offseason training increased pitching velocity.
Growth Curve Page 3B
Mastrogiovanni’s offensive transformation paying off ahead of NCAA Tournament.
Young talent Page 5B
OSU’s receiving corps built on skillful underclassmen ahead of spring camp.
Page 2B Friday, March 18, 2022
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sports
Davis improved arsenal with pitching trainer
After counthe had necessarily less hours of rigorhoped to. ous workouts and “They basiintense weight cally told him that lifting as well as a they wanted him to disciplined diet and gain some experihealthy sleep sched- ence as a starter,” ule, Davis broke 95 Smith said. “They miles per hour on didn’t really want to his fastball by the invest in someone end of quarantine, a who could play, but milestone. wasn’t a starter yet, “He did all or didn’t have a lot the little things of starts under their right,” Smith said. belts. They wanted “The fact that he someone who had was willing to go the talent like he out, when literally does, but could also nobody else was, prove that they could just shows who he go multiple innings.” is and how much he So Davis wants it. He’s just returned to OSU built differently than for his sophomore most people.” season. Davis took “He didn’t a huge leap on the weep and mope at field, eventually all,” Smith said. “He cementing himself immediately came to as a primary guy out me, outlined a chunk of the bullpen for of things he speOSU. cifically needed to Despite the improve on, and we drastic leap in projust got to work.” duction, Davis still Davis trained had inconsistencies with highly touted last season. Strikepitching trainers, outs including Alex Marweren’t ney, a former OSU an pitcher, and Clayton issue, Blackburn, an asas he sistant at UCO. He “Kale ranked would also train in is just a kid near high octane settings who does the top with NFL players things the of the like David Moore right way,” pitch- and Land Johnson to Smith said. ing gain experience in a “Ever since staff, professional training I’ve known but his atmosphere. him, he’s ERA After a long Dillion Smith been a kid flussummer of training, Trainer who you tered and further developdon’t have around ing his body, Davis to remind to do year at OSU, the five broke 98 miles per something twice. countless hours of for the hour on his fastball, It all started training went on a most of the season. as well as improving with a direct meshiatus in an effort After the sea- his velocity on every sage. to allow himself to son, Davis wanted to single one of his priIn early Deconnect and mesh in test the waters mary pitches at least cember 2018, Davis with his new teamof the MLB draft, 2 miles per hour. was entering his se- mates, atmosphere and sought feedback nior season of high and home. from MLB scouts in school baseball. In Eighteen regards to where his spite of his commit- games in, the COdraft stock varied ment to Oklahoma VID-19 pandemic around. Read full story at State and even behalted Davis’ seaHe wouldn’t ing ranked No. 82 son. Bitter about the receive the feedback ocolly.com nationally, Davis missed opportunity sought improvement. to play a full season Familiar with of baseball at the who he was, Davis collegiate level, his messaged Smith on motivations escaInstagram asking lated. to train with him in “I’ve always hopes of preparing thought that things his body to play at happen for a reathe collegiate level. son,” Davis said. “Kale came in “For whatever reathrowing low 90’s son (what happened) on his fastball,” has a purpose. Even Smith said. “I even through bad times, remember telling you have to look for him that was good. the good (in them). But he just wasn’t So, that’s something satisfied, like at all.” I’ve always done.” Every school The pandemic break, when Davis allowed Smith and was not busy with Davis to rekindle camps or baseball their friendship. season, he and The two continued Ben Cohen Smith would work working, meeting on the little things; every single week of OSU pitcher Kale Davis has steadily increased his fastball velocity through two seasons, peaking at 98 mph. establishing a sleep quarantine.
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Kale came in throwing low 90’s on his fastball
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Courtesy OSU Athletics Quion Williams visited Stillwater and committed to OSU as part of the ‘22 class.
Cowboys... Continued from 1B
lacked. Lance Kight, Friedrichsen’s coach at Bixby, said his star offers more than a catch-and-shoot game. “A lot of people know Parker as a shooter,” Kight said. “But I call him a scorer. I’ve actually been on record and called him the best scorer in the state of Oklahoma. In 25 years of coaching high school basketball, he’s the best scorer outside of Trey Young that I have seen in person.” Friedrichsen has spent a lot of time lifting weights in the last nine months, something
“He gives us another versatile perimeter player who exudes toughness and a great will to win,” Boynton said. “Q (Williams) can defend four positions well and is a great teammate who values hard work. His best basketball is definitely ahead of him.” Williams sums it up more succinctly. “I feel like I can guard anybody,” Williams told The O’Colly. “Where I’m from, you’re going to guard up or you’re going to sit on the bench.” Williams said he prides himself in doing the small things well. Chasing down opponents on fast breaks, taking charges and defending the other team’s best player. Lance Kight He received advice Bixby Coach from former Cowboy Cade Cunningham. Upon committing, Williams asked CunningKight said Boynton ham about the best places to score emphasized. He is now from on the floor, and even shared 170 pounds. some game film with the No. 1 pick “Parker is a three-level scorer,” in the NBA draft. Kight said. “He can attack the rim. Williams is the only signee He has got a good midrange, 12-toin the current class, though he is 15 footer off the bounce as anybody working on changing that. Williams in high school. Attacking the rim said he knows Anthony Black, a has allowed him to get to the free five-star point guard in the class of throw line. He’s gonna shoot 85% ’22. Williams said he is in contact from there.” with Black and is trying to get him Kight described Friedrichsen, to come to OSU, but he is also fine also a good golfer, as “a consumbeing the sole freshman next year. mate gym rat.” Friedrichsen get to “It’s a great feeling, because school at 6:30 a.m., shoots for an right now all eyes on me as an inhour and squeezes in a workout becoming freshman,” Williams said. “I fore class. After school and practice just like the feeling, but now I have end, he often stays in the gym for to come in there and show then I can another two hours after practice play.” shooting. Parker Friedrichsen, class Kight recalls a conversation of ‘23 in his office he had with Boynton OSU may have a thin margin after a game where Friedrichsen of error in recruiting, but Friedrich- scored 38 or 39 points on 10-for-12 sen is a player who does not miss shooting. Even as a junior in high often himself. school, Friedrichson’s scoring ability Friedrichsen, a four-star guard would’ve helped OSU. who chose OSU over Purdue, Iowa, “Coach Boynton was like, ‘If Creighton and others, scored at a I had that right now, golly, we’re so high, consistent volume for Bixby much better,’” Kight said. High School as a junior. He averaged just shy of 28 points per game and developed a reputation as a lethal shooter — sports.ed@ocolly.com something recent OSU teams have
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schedule, eating right along with a proper amount of caloric intake per day, and a weight lifting routine. “We estabDaniel Allen lished a routine Staff Reporter and got right to it,” Davis said. “And Kale Davis has then just day after always been accusday we’d work our tomed to success. butts off and pushed It all started every (workout) to with his work ethic, the max, that way I’d such as doing the be well trained and little things right. conditioned heading Davis has had this into baseball seamentality that has son.” led to a bevy of sucAs his arrival cess since a young to Stillwater drew age, however, it closer, and the start started to become to his senior seahabitual particularly son at Westmoore in his high school approached, Smith years. noticed substantial Davis credits amounts of improvea large portion of ment in almost every his leap to Dillion aspect. The workSmith, a strength outs continued into and conditioning the summer, with trainer and founder even heavier loads of Anvil Strengt occurring during program school breaks. dedicated Heading into to enhancDavis’ freshman ing performance for young athletes.
A lot of people know Parker as a shooter, But I call him a scorer.
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Friday, March 18, 2022 Page 3B
Offensive prowess highlight Mastrogiovanni’s season Braden Bush Staff Reporter
For Trevor Mastrogiovanni, toying with opponents he considered inferior was aggravating. A season ago, Mastrogiovanni, OSU’s 125-pounder, was thrown in the starting lineup as a freshman, accumulating a 15-6 record, along with a fifth-place Big 12 finish and NCAA tournament appearance. It was a formidable start, but there were times when he was passive on offense, allowing opponents to hang around. “I had to win a lot of matches by a point,” Mastrogiovanni said. “I think I won a majority of them by a point. I’m only winning by a point to these random guys. I don’t know who they are. Mentally, it was taking a toll on me as a freshman.” But the frustration culminated into a drive for growth in his sophomore season. And that growth began with training. Mastrogiovanni dealt with mononucleosis and COVID, which set him back. He knew he had to pick up his conditioning pace to reach the next level. He said he began running and, literally, going the extra mile. “My body was hurting last year,” Mastrogiovanni said. “I was struggling a lot. I wasn’t in shape. I didn’t have as much muscle as I did this year. I was a lot smaller than I was this year. Even though I’m cutting weight a lot better and learning a lot nutrition-wise, I was hurting.” But it wasn’t stamina and conditioning where Mastrogiovanni needed to grow. The 125-pounder worked on an offensive attack and an ability to score takedowns. He saw results. This season, Mastrogiovanni has demonstrated the ability to score Molly Jolliff takedowns and separate scores. Against Trevor Mastrogiovanni, OSU’s 125-pound starter, improved his offense this season, and is primed for another run in the NCAA Tournament. Columbia’s Joe Manchio, a 2022 NCAA practices have gone to a different level South Dakota State dual kept Mastroqualifier, Mastrogiovanni recorded What’s at stake? where he’s scoring more. He’s scoring giovanni out for a week and left him a takedown in each period, and then and he’s around barely able to walk. The injury hindered OSU is not in contention for an showcased NCAA team title, a rarity under a guy like Da- some of his offense, but couldn’t comhis ability Kind of sending a message ton (Fix) day in pletely stop the resolute sophomore. to ride out coach John Smith. But not all is One month after his injury, Masan oppoout there that if you’re ranked No. and day out.” lost. Eight Cowboys are headed to Mastrotrogiovanni won the third-place match nent. giovanni drills at the Big 12 championships by scoring nationals, three with top-8 seeds. He was 20 in the country, then you’re not with Fix at four points in the final three seconds. dominant in OSU has claimed at least three wrestling with me. practice. The But that wasn’t enough for him. every comAll-Americans in 12 consecutive John Smith idea of Fix, a “It’s not what I want, actually,” ponent of the Coach two-time naMastrogiovanni said. “I want to be first, seasons, and it will be looking to match, not tional finalist at obviously, but it’s an improvement from extend that streak and carry moallowing a point. 133 pounds, as a teammate was a huge last year. I’m dealing with a little bit of mentum into next season. Coach John Smith, who has draw for him to come to OSU. Having issues, but in order to be a champ, just harped about extending scores to his SCHEDULE Fix as a drill partner sharpens his abil- in my mind, it’s not an excuse.” team all season, saw this revelation. Friday ity score takedowns, and it allows him Improvement has been the theme Another sign of Mastrogiovanni’s for Mastrogiovanni this season. Now, a Session three (Quarterfinals and growth and maturity in his second year. to continually gauge his progress. “He’s an NCAA finalist,” Mastro- second NCAA appearance awaits him, “I thought Mastrogiovanni did a entering as the No. 7 seed with an 18-3 consolation second and third really good job of separating the score giovanni said. “That’s where I want to rounds): 10 a.m. be, so I get to compare myself to him record. against a guy,” Smith said after Masevery day. If I’m getting killed by him, His development has been incon- Session four (Semifinals and controgiovanni’s 8-0 major decision over I know I’m not an NCAA finalist yet.” testable and consistent. He has shown Manchio. “Kind of sending a message solation quarterfinals): 7 p.m. Mastrogiovanni’s eagerness for he can score takedowns, extend scores out there that if you’re ranked No. 20 in Saturday those clashes shows his growth. And in or even grind a match out with lastthe country, then you’re not wrestling the case of Mastrogiovanni, it’s added a second heroics. with me.” Session five (Consolation semifilevel of confidence. “At the Big 12, we saw him score Those are the messages Mastronals and medal matches): 10 a.m. “As a sophomore now, I’m just some pretty cool wins at the end of the giovanni has been looking to send this prepared for every match to be a battle matches.” Smith said. “You just want to Session six (Championship season. Ones of an improved competino matter what,” Mastrogiovanni said. see him trust himself and be able to go matches): 6 p.m. tor. “Training with Fix for a year, it’s defiout and do that. I will say that the best Zack Esposito, OSU’s associate Sessions three and five will be head coach, said practice is where Mas- nitely helped prepare technique-wise. If he wrestled all season long was (at Big broadcast on ESPNU. Sessions I can try and score on him, I can score 12s).” trogiovanni has been able to manifest on anybody at 125.” four and six will be on ESPN. this offensive jump. This season wasn’t without its “Things don’t just materialize out own trials. A right ankle injury in the sports.ed@ocolly.com in competition,” Esposito said. “His
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Thompson’s ‘competitiveness’ showing to start season
Abby Smith
OSU outfielder Jake Thompson is batting a team-leading .403 this season.
Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter
Notebook Time to relax Starting March 4, OSU played nine games in 12 days and made trips to Arizona and Texas. Earlier this week, the Cowboys finally got a chance to breathe. “Sunday was definitely a day to recover,” Holliday said. “We’d been going pretty hard. We probably traveled and played more than any team in the country at that stage.” Holliday said Monday was an off day and Tuesday and Wednesday were light practice days. He said the team always touches on fundamentals in training, and practice those days were more about maintaining the rhythm the team was in rather than emphasizing certain areas of the game. On Wednesday, OSU began a stretch of five games in five days. Holliday said because of limits on hours per week a college baseball team can spend competing
and training, the team had to go light on Tuesday and Wednesday. “That was a little gap to get our feet underneath us more than pushing our limits,” Holliday said. “Our limits will be pushed pretty good here in the next four days.” He’s nails Thompson leads the Cowboys with a .403 batting average this season. There are plenty of phrases to describe the way is swinging the bat. “He’s nails” is the one Holliday elected to use. Martin decoded the phrase in a baseball context, saying it is a synonym for a grinder. “He gets two strikes, and he doesn’t strike out very easily, he’s fouling pitches off and battling every at bat,” Martin said. Thompson said he feels competitiveness is the word describing his beginning to the season. He said he wants to beat the pitcher by getting on base half of the time he bats. Thompsons’ on base percentage rests at exactly 50%. It is just one of the goals he is on track to accomplish. Thompson said hitting .400 is the first goal written on a sticky note on his bathroom mirror, followed by Big 12 Conference Player of the Year and being named an All-American. “I feel like if I hit .400 that will give me a pretty good shot at those ones so just kind of sticking
to that one and everything else will fall into place,” Thompson said. A “dumb” decision Holliday didn’t hold back. He was asked about Major League Baseball’s decision to ban the shift next season. “I think it’s dumb,” Holliday said. “I think they got a lot of dumb ideas right now in Major League Baseball. Worried about the wrong stuff.” The rule change, which has been a polarizing topic, did not rest well with Holliday. “Why is that what is causing problems in baseball, where the defense plays?” Holliday said. “We’ve always been able to move the defensive players, why don’t the hitters learn to hit it where they are not playing?” Holliday said it was whatever if base sizes were changed or MLB tried other things, but people telling teams where players can stand is silly. “I think they are a little lost right now,” Holliday said. “Those of us that love baseball and have watched baseball our whole lives see that as part of the strategy of the game, see that as part of the adjustments players make, so I think that’s a reach.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Abby Smith Taylor Roe beat 15 other runners to claim her first national title.
Taylor...
Continued from 1B With 750 meters left, Roe made her move. Smith said Roe’s push caught NC State freshman Katelyn Tuohy by surprise. Tuohy had to wait for the pack to stretch back out before she made her move. Tuohy couldn’t recover and finished second. Roe’s push took her to the finish line with a time of eight minutes, 58.95 seconds. It was her first NCAA National Championship. Roe spoke to the media Tuesday. “It’s still sinking
in,” Roe said. “I think every morning I’ve woken up it’s been a little bit more.” Roe and Smith shared a smile when asked if a national championship is what they expected when Smith began recruiting Roe. Smith emphasized the difficulty of getting a title. “You always hope, and you always dream, but you rarely see it happen,” Smith said. “As a coach who has been doing this for 25 years, did I think this was going to happen? No. I did not. What she did is extremely unlikely, which makes it great.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Cottrill... Continued from 1B “It was hard mentally,” Cottrill said. “I really wanted to get back to a good support system with family around me. Life just hit and I wanted to come home. The nicest thing was finding myself back to softball. When I struggled mentally it leaked into softball, so being able to come home I fell in love with the game again.” When Cottrill transferred to OSU, she also returned to her parents house. For most college students, living with their parents may be difficult already, but for Cottrill it also means living with her hitting coach, as her father Jeff is still on OSU’s softball staff. “There’s a separation between coach and dad,” Julia said. “On the field he’s my coach.” Gajewski has made sure the father-daughter and coach-player relationship is a healthy one, but said it could be an unorthodox pairing. “It has to be different with her dad here,” Gajewski said. “I watched that a lot to see how it’s going with them, but it could be adding pressure.” Cottrill described how it is hard to escape from the pressure of softball when she lives under the same roof as her coach, but says there are benefits, such as having laundry done for her and having cooked meals prepared at night. In contrast to living at home, the transition for Cottrill to OSU was smooth, a switch made painless as she could reunite with old high school friends, including cohort Taylor Tuck, a fellow catcher at OSU and Stillwater native. The high school best friends and teammates once again share the backstop duties with each other at OSU, and get to compete with one another for the starting spot behind the plate. “She makes me better every day,” Tuck said. “It’s like she never left. She pushes me every day.” Before the season began, Gajewski said Cottrill has become one of the most consistent hitters for the Cowgirls, and after 22 games in the 2022 season, he was correct. Cottrill is batting .340, has hit five home runs with 13 RBI’s. In her first game at Cowgirl Stadium, Cottrill walked twice and hit two home runs over the
Abby Cage After transferring from Florida, OSU catcher Julia Cottrill has become of the the most consistent hitters in the Cowgirls’ arsenal.
left field wall. She said her time with OSU has been what she wanted when she entered her name into the transfer portal. “I was nervous, I had butterflies,” Cottrill said. “But it was a reassurance to me that I am falling
in love with the game again. Coming out here and doing it in front of my hometown crowd is super exciting but also nerve wracking.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
O’Colly
Friday, March 18, 2022 Page 5B
sports
Sanders definitive starter ahead of spring practice
Abby Cage OSU linebackers Mason Cobb (left) and Lamont Bishop (right) could have an increased role this spring.
Opportunity abundant for linebacker group without Rodriguez, Harper Dean Ruhl Sports Editor
Exiting the program: Malcolm Rodriguez, out of eligibility Devin Harper, out of eligibilMalcolm Rodriguez ity placed both hands on the Adam Martin, out of eligibilgoal line. ity He crouched down, Entering the program: his right foot spaced farther back than his left. His Xavier Benson, transferred looked down toward the turf. from Tyler Junior College The horn sounded, and he Gabe Brown, early enrollee took off. freshman (Stillwater) Rodriguez, OSU’s Elijah Wright, transferred former linebacker, darted from Central Oklahom down the sideline at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, without Devin Harper too, crossing the 40-yard line in who completed a hard-hita speedy 4.57 seconds. He ting starting linebacker duo trotted down the remaining last season. field, catching his breath and Now there is opportuglancing toward the scorenity. board. The Cowboys adHis 40-yard dash tied dressed this issue before him for fourth among the the season ended, landing 32 linebackers invited to the Xavier Benson, a linebacker NFL Combine two weeks transfer from Tyler Junior ago. College. Benson, a redshirt While Rodriguez’s junior, spent his first two draft stock steady elevates, seasons at Texas Tech, startso does a concern of the ing 10 games as a redshirt Cowboys this offseason. freshman before sitting out Replacing the starting line- the 2020 season and transbackers. Rodriguez is just ferring to Tyler. half the equation. OSU is Chris Becker OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders returned for his redshirt senior season and is the clear No. 1 option for the Cowboys at quarterback.
Ben Hutchens Entering the proStaff Reporter gram:
Spencer Sanders is the guy. Again. Sanders, OSU’s senior quarterback, is back for his fourth season as starter. He has made 33 starts in the Big 12, the most out of any returning quarterback in the conference. At Big 12 media days this past summer, coach Mike Gundy said Sanders improved more in two months of spring ball than he had in two years. The quote raised expectations for Sanders’ season, expectations that were passed with flying colors or fell woefully short, depending what week of the season it was. Sanders has failed to play every game of a season. Last season he missed one game with COVID protocols. His sophomore season he missed two games with a high right ankle sprain. His freshman season he missed three games with a thumb injury. The biggest shakeup in the OSU quarterback room comes from Sanders’ backup, Shane Illingworth, who transferred to Nevada. Illingworth started the lone game Sanders missed last season, and his departure opens up the backup role. The flashiest
Projected starters: Lamont Bishop, redshirt senior, 6-foot-2, 230 pounds Kamryn Farrar, redshirt junior, 5-foot-11, 210 pounds Key reserves: Na’Drian Dizadare, redshirt junior Mason Cobb, junior Jeff Roberson, redshirt sophomore Nickolas Martin, redshirt freshman
could be integral in replacement of Rodriguez and Harper. Mason Cobb and Kamryn Farrar also earned meaningful minutes in 2021, playing in short yardage situations and special teams and could elevate from occasional contributors to concrete starters. Na’Drian Dizadare didn’t play as much as Cobb and Farrar, but with the turnover of players, could step into a significant role this season. OSU also signed The depth even trickles Elijah Wright, son of former down to underclassmen. Jeff Cowboy linebacker Kenyatta Roberson, a redshirt sophoWright, from Central Oklamore, has received praise. homa and Gabe Brown, an Roberson’s build is uncanny early enrollee from Stillwato Rodriguez’s, and he could ter High School, to complete become a factor this spring. its spring additions. The same can be said The trio of new faces about Nickolas Martin, will compete with a bevy of a redshirt freshman. The returners for playing time. After two seasons with sample size is marginal, but Martin was rated a threemiddling results, Lamont star prospect out of high Bishop now has opportuschool, and could contribute nity to flourish. The hulkthis season. ing Bishop (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) played snaps toward sports.ed@ocolly.com the end of last season and
Young receiving corps primed for breakout
Garret Rangel, true freshman Exiting the program: Shane Illingworth, transferred to Nevada Ethan Bullock, graduated Projected depth chart: Spencer Sanders, redshirt senior, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds Garret Rangel, freshman, 6-foot-2, 181 pounds Gunnar Gundy, redshirt freshman, 6-foot, 200 pounds Peyton Thompson, redshirt junior, 6-foot1, 210 pounds name to potentially secure the role is true freshman Garret Rangel, a four-star prospect from Frisco, Texas. He threw for 2,049 yards and 24 touchdowns his senior year at Lone Star High School, and joins former teammate, running back Jaden Nixon, at OSU. Rangel was an early commit and the only quarterback in his signing class. The two players making up the rest of the quarterback room are walk-ons. Peyton Thompson is a redshirt junior from Tulsa and Gunnar Gundy is a redshirt freshman from Stillwater. Gundy played in one game last season, OSU’s 63-17 defeat of TCU. Gundy did not throw a pass and ran once for one yard. sports.ed@ocolly.com
File Photo OSU wide receiver Brennan Presley will guide a young but talented receiver corps during spring camp.
Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
Out of all OSU receivers who caught a touchdown in 2021, only one will be upperclassman this season. Since the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl, junior receiver Brennan Presley has shown potential and the traits to become a star. Heading into his second season as a starter, Presley will likely be the No. 1 option after the departure of Tay Martin. Five freshmen caught more than 10 passes throughout last season, and may all be competing for higher spots on the depth chart in 2022. Some of these now sophomores include John Paul Richardson, Jaden Bray and Bryson Green, who each also caught
two touchdowns. Coming into 2022, their roles in the offense are probable for expansion. In the offseason, OSU added even more young wideouts to the roster, including four-star prospect Talyn Shettron, who was the No. 3 player in the 2022 Oklahoma recruiting class. With the vast number of receivers, OSU’s offense will have different ways to use each. Bray, Green, Rashad Owens and Shettron may challenge each other for the “X” and “Z” receiver roles on the outside. Presley, who has primarily been a slot receiver in the past, may find himself on the outside from time to time, and Richardson has the skillset and measurements to fit on the outside or in the slot. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Entering the program: Talyn Shettron, early enrollee freshman (Edmond) Rylan McQuarters, transferred from NEO Rashad Dixon, transferred from Texas A&M-Commerce Exiting the program: Tay Martin, out of eligibility Matt Polk, in transfer portal Jonathan Shepherd, in transfer portal Haydon Wiginton, in transfer portal Gabe Simpson Cale Fulsom Projected starters: Brennan Presley John Paul Richardson Jaden Bray Bryson Green
Page 6B Friday, March 18, 2022
Focused...
O’Colly
sports
COLLEGE MEDIA MADNESS 2022
Continued from 1B “He goes, ‘Well, if you want him to be a wrestler, never take him back there,’” Derek Fix said. “He said all they did was scream at him and make him do pushups. Everybody. It was one of those kinds of situations. The wrong people were running it and he said, ‘He’s gonna have a bad taste in his mouth about wrestling.’ So, I said, ‘OK, we’ll just save him.’ Derek Fix’s decision to wait until the fifth grade for his son to wrestle parallels the pair’s mindset. Anything Fix accomplishes in the present is building toward the future. It’s a futurefocused mindset for a guy who is always improving. Each season is a constant cycle to a perceived image of greatness. Wrestle, improve and repeat. In the midst of an elite wrestling resume is one glaring absence. An NCAA title. Fix owns three collegiate losses, two from the NCAA final. Both matches were 4-2 losses in double overtime. To be the best, you must have a hypercritical attitude with a short memory. Fix has both. He’s been an underdog twice in his folkstyle career. As a high school freshman seeded No. 4 in a tournament and this weekend. For the first time in his collegiate career, Fix is not the No. 1 seed. That honor belongs to Penn State’s Roman Bravo Young, who beat Fix in the 2021 NCAA Tournament final. Greatest ever? A glimpse at Fix’s Twitter handle, @_Greatest_Ever1 reveals a hint to his mentality. A bold proclamation. How can he be the greatest ever without an NCAA title? That’s just it. He’s not the greatest ever. Yet. That’s his mission. “For me, that’s my goal is to be the greatest version of myself that I can be,” he said. “Wrestler, person, someday husband and father. I just want to be the greatest version of myself and that’s really where that started. “I think a lot of people kinda take it out of context that I’m calling myself the greatest ever whenever really that’s just the goal. I set my goals as high as they possible can be and that’s the greatest.” But what drives Fix? There’s a method to his mindset. He sets his goals to the maximum to ensure there will always be improvement. The beginnings Fix played tackle football in kindergarten, five years before he wrestled. His father, a former OSU wrestler, let Fix be himself. Wrestling didn’t consume most of his elementary years. Derek Fix felt like rushing Fix into his sport wasn’t the proper idea. “Let him grow up a little bit, mature and do some other things,” Derek Fix said. “I told him, I said, ‘Hey, if you want to wrestle, I’ll help you anyway I can.’” Suspension In 2020, for the first time in his career, Daton couldn’t compete. He was caught in the center of wrestling controversy. On Jan. 22, 2020, he received the worst news of his career. He tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance. Derek Fix had a water bottle that contained ostarine inside the Fix’s family refrigerator. Fix consumed the drink, not aware of the ostarine.
What is college media madness?
WHAT IS OUR GOAL?
Molly Jolliff Daton Fix didn’t begin wrestling until fifth grade and has since accumulated numerous accolades, but he has failed to claim a national title in two attempts.
After investigations, the American Arbitration Association concluded that Fix’s actions were not intentional and reduced a four-year sentence to one. During that time, Fix continued to work. He was confined to practice, unable to compete in any competitions until February 2021. The goals didn’t die. The work never faltered and Fix remained himself. He admitted a ban from competition can result in a lack of motivation. But using his consistent future-focused mindset, he refused to accept laziness. He reached the NCAA final with a month worth of matches. Returning to the mat like he never left. “That motivation for me never really wavered because I know my goals are big,” he said. “Winning a national title. Yeah, that’s a big goal of mine but I have goals of winning world titles and winning Olympic medals. At the end of the day, it’s a big goal but it’s a stepping stone to bigger goals for me.” The goals began as dreams. He was an avid wrestling fan before he stepped onto the mat. Before Fix wrestled, he accompanied his father to his officiating gigs, learning by observation. While other kids in attendance ran around with friends — kids being kids, Fix didn’t budge from the bleachers. “He’d be the kid sitting in the corner watching,” Derek Fix said. “He’d say, ‘Well what do I look for?’ I just said, ‘Watch the guys that get their hand raised and see
what they do.’ Pay attention to that. He’s a smart kid and he just became a little student of the game. His wrestling IQ is really high.” In fifth grade, he finally decided to wrestle. Whenever the time was right, Derek Fix would provide all the necessary resources for his son to achieve greatness. He was addicted. A pre-teen wrestling junkie. The obsession of the sport developed from watching resulted in a skill unusual for his age. The father-son duo developed goals. To this day, Derek Fix remains one of Fix’s freestyle coaches, a style he prefers over collegiate folkstyle. The simple desire to be great paired with a world-class work ethic separates Fix from his peers. After a seasonopening win at Stanford, he skipped dinner and ran six miles at the team hotel’s fitness center. He wasn’t satisfied with his win. Instead of dwelling and complaining about it, he let the work show. A move straight out of coach John Smith’s teachings. And that’s what he can do on Saturday in Detroit. Let the work show. “He’s got a lot of want in him,” Smith said. “We don’t have to do anything in wrestling but those guys that really want it, they’re motivated. It’s probably why I’ve coached 31 years. The few that you have are just so driven, it’s what you show up for practice for each and every day.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Daily Horoscope
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS 1 “‘And hast thou __ the Jabberwock?’”: Carroll 6 Steady guy 10 Event involving hidden matzo 15 Shell material 16 Loads 17 Horror film burden 18 *Crèche, for example? 21 Geode feature, perhaps 22 Dressed 23 Current type 26 *Recent president scrutinizing a book on jurisprudence? 34 Grammy-winning pianist Peter 35 2020 N.L. batting champ Juan 36 “Sula” author Morrison 37 “That describes me, right?” 40 Paradise 42 *Animal rights goal in the Andes? 47 Sugar suffix 48 Clear thought 49 Spirit that’s also a game 50 “Molto __”: “Very good” 52 Trough fill 53 Huge amounts 54 Altered, in a way ... and a hint to the org. that helped create the answers to starred clues 59 Plain 62 Soviet-born ballet immortal 66 Broad-topped trees 67 Catch 68 Safekeeping 69 Poker-faced DOWN 1 ’60s civil rights gp. inspired by student sit-ins 2 Lion player Bert
3/11/22
By Jeffrey Wechsler
3 “__ in the Dark”: 1988 Neill/Streep film 4 Bearded bloom 5 Iced drink brand 6 Irish liqueur made by an English company 7 LAX stat 8 Chicago’s __ Center 9 Experience 10 Really burn 11 Catalan cash 12 Colorless 13 Girl in a Salinger title 14 Curl up with a good book, say 19 Story 20 D.C. part?: Abbr. 24 AFL partner 25 Blasted stuff 26 Out working 27 Puzzle 28 Ascended 29 __ Blanc 30 Shorthand for unlisted items 31 Romanticsounding herb 32 Lethargy cause 33 CeCe with 12 Grammys 38 Natural resource
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
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39 Horned Frogs’ sch. 40 Seuss cat’s trademark 41 English cathedral town 43 Sheer joy 44 Baklava dough 45 Smell 46 Came to fruition 51 Official proclamation 53 Use plastic, say
3/11/22
55 Miscellany 56 Wearing, with “in” 57 Beach feature 58 Up-there bear 59 Brief cleaner 60 Pressure opening? 61 “Illmatic” rapper 63 Jabber 64 Live-ball __: baseball period 65 S.A. country, to the IOC
Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes
Today’s Birthday (03/11/22). Dreams can come true this year. Diligent, private preparation fulfills plans. Launch your creative masterpiece this spring, before navigating changing conditions with your summer investigation. Autumn explorations reveal unimagined treasure. Adapt the message for changing news next winter. Take one step at a time. 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 — Envision a domestic improvement. Indulge crazy ideas and suggestions. Listen to experts and designers. Align on the perfect solution with family and begin. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — An unexpected plot twist pulls you deeper into a fascinating story. One brilliant idea leads to another. Harness creative inspiration and express your own view. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Tap silver. A lucky break provides a cash flow surge. Ride a profitable wave. Dreamy outcomes are available. Give thanks and pay it forward. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — A dream appears within reach. Use your persuasive charms to advance. You’re especially lucky. Ask for what you want. Smile for the cameras. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Things are coming together. Slow to review plans before launching. You may have options you didn’t notice before. Imagine a dream come true. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Take advantage of an unexpected opportunity for a team project. Fortune favors bold initiatives. A shared dream lies within reach. Teamwork wins a prize. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Someone important is paying attention to the good work you’ve been doing. Push to advance a professional goal and doors open. Your status is rising. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Expand your perspective for a different take. Roadblocks disappear and the way ahead seems clear. Research options and potential. Explore and investigate. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Keep cash flowing in a positive direction. Collaborate to grow a joint venture. You’re building for the future. Contribute your piece of the puzzle. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Negotiate with your partner to refine the plan. Share creative ideas, resources, encouragement and potential solutions. Follow through on what you said you’d do. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Get hopping! Your work is in demand. Delegate what you can. Prioritize health and vitality. Don’t overdo things. Moderate consumption and speed. Prepare for excellence. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Let your heart lead you. Take a spontaneous opportunity for fun and romance. Dreamy possibilities tempt. Express your love, passion and affection. Get creative.
Level 1
2
3
4
3/11/22
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
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