Friday, May 6, 2022
Graduation Edition
Economics senior graduates at 19, debt free high school students an introduction to college-level classes and gain college credit before graduating high school. Stone excelled in his five AP classes, earning all A’s. “The only class I didn’t make an A in that year was actually German, which I made all C’s,” Stone said. Growing up with their father in
Dru Norton News Editor At 19, Joe Stone is not an average college graduate. Stone, an economics major, cut his four years of college in half; graduating in just two years. Not only did Stone fast-forward his college experience, he earned a 4.0 each semester and will have no student debt. “I didn’t expect to get a 4.0, but it just kind of happened,” Stone said. Growing up, Stone said he was better known to his teachers and peers as the class clown, not the smart kid. “As a kid, I wanted my teachers to think I’m not smart because one, then they don’t expect a lot, and two, I was always the class clown,” Stone said. “I didn’t study for the tests, but I always did well on them. I was this smart kid, but I never tried to be the smart kid, I just wanted to have fun.” Stone said he was an average high school student his first two years, earning a 3.0. Until his junior year, when Stone decided to take advanced placement (AP) classes developed to give
Before graduating from Norman North High School in 2020, Stone made it his goal: he would be a debt free college graduate. “I thought, ‘If I can get all of this crammed into two years, then I don’t have to pay
Stone needed 86 more hours to complete a degree in economics. At first, Stone said his mom was skeptical of his decision.
Abby Cage After graduation, Joe Stone will attend law school at the University of Oklahoma.
the Air Force, Stone and his sister were eligible to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This bill was designed to help active military members serving after Sept. 11 pay for up to four years of college, which Stone’s father transferred to his children. Stone and his sister split the bill; each having two years of college paid for.
anything,’” Stone said. “I might as well try, why not?” Stone decided on OSU for two reasons: 1. He wanted to stay in-state for college. 2. OSU accepted enough of his AP credits so he could graduate in two years. After earning 34 college credits from his AP classes in high school,
OSU sees highest application numbers since 2013, excited for more growth
“My mom said, ‘I don’t know if that’s a good idea, everybody that I’ve talked to said it’s going to be super hard, like impossible,’” Stone said. “Then, I went and got a 4.0 that first semester and that made me realize it was probably all going to work out just fine.” See Debt free on 3A
Commencement schedule
Friday 1 p.m. College of Veterinary Medicine 7 p.m. Graduate College
Chris Becker Editor-in-Chief Numbers are everything. At least for colleges and universities. The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on many universities including Oklahoma State, especially in the admissions office. Classes were online, no in-person tours were taking place, which meant recruiting was all done virtually, as most items of business were in 2020-21. However, despite the pandemic, applications rates have continued to rise each fall since 2013, with the exception of the fall of 2021 where applications dipped from the previous term. The sharp rise in admissions, and the controlled damage from the pandemic
Saturday 9 a.m. Ferguson College of Agriculture Courtesy of Gary Lawson As Oklahoma State pushes out of COVID-19 precautions, the university is seeing rising application numbers.
doesn’t surprise Jeff Hartman, the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. “From ground-breaking research to our strong academic profile as well as new leadership with President (Kayse) Shrum and the work going on in our office and across campus, we have great momentum,” Hartman said. In the fall of 2013, the OSU admissions office received 11,064 applications; since then the number has eclipsed 18,000 for fall of 2022. The office of admissions
does set forth a target number of applications they hope to see filter through, and the number changes each year. “One of our goals is to reduce barriers for students,” Hartman said. “The Office of Undergraduate Admissions continues to enhance our process for reviewing applications, which includes our commitment to timely communicate to students regarding their admission status.”
9 a.m. College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology 12:30 p.m. Spears School of Business 3:30 p.m. College of Arts and Sciences 6:30 p.m. College of Education and Human Sciences *All ceremonies will be in GallagherIba Arena
See Applications on 6A
What’s Inside
Thank you Page 4A
Pistol Pete thanks the Cowboy family for their support.
Provost continues Page 6A
A look at of OSU’s options for the new provost.
Seniors last goodbyes Page 8A
Graduating seniors give advice to their freshmen selves.
Page 2A Friday, May 6, 2022
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Page 2
Curved Sofas
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Biophilic offices
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Graduation information
What’s trending for summer 2022?
Graduate instructions ~ All graduates will enter through gate 1 south of Boone Pickens Stadium ~ All graduates are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your ceremony ~ After a security check, graduates will be ushered to the seating area on the floor of Gallagher-Iba Arena ~ There are no assigned seats.
Family instructions
Period Care Pearlcore based on USA Today
Tiny Library Rooms Luxury Laundry Rooms
Photo of the week by Abby Cage
After storms this week, Oklahoma got a show with mammatus clouds in the sky during sunset.
~ No tickets are required. ~ Family, friends and other guests will enter Gallagher-Iba Arena on the east side of the stadium. ~ Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony start time. ~ Everyone entering Gallagher-Iba Arena is subject to the athletics clear bag policy. Inside OSU will broadcast all the ceremonies.
Countdown to fall classes not long enough.
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
News & Lifestyle reporters: Jake Sellers Rachel Williamson Kylie Hammack Stephen Stumpf Ellen Slater Jaden Besteda Allie Putman Connor Gray Kaylie Sequira Payton Little Baylor Bryant
Newsroom
108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405)-744-6365
Sports reporters: Sudeep Tumma Ben Hutchens Adam Engel Daniel Allen Davis Cordova Jax Thompson Calif Poncy Ashton Slaughter Ben Creider Gabriel Trevino Rowdy Baribeau Braden Bush Ivan White
Photographers: Jaiden Daughty Braden King Branson Evans Habbie Colen Abby Smith Alex Hernandez Molly Jolliff Sarah Briscoe Karisa Sheely Noah Weber Karlie Boothe
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Get to know commencement: Ree Drummond
Debt free... Continued from 1A His first year of college, Stone took 19 hours each semester. During the summer, he took 10 hours, and finished his last two semesters with 19 hours each; totaling 120 hours. Stone said he studies for almost eight hours on weekdays, leaving little time for a social life. During weekends, Stone works at Best Buy in Norman, his hometown. “College happened so fast,” Stone said. “I never went to a single game, I never went to a party or joined a club. I did a lot of studying.” Stone said the hardest thing about his strenuous workload is balancing his personal relationships and school. “My girlfriend lives in Norman, and I wish I had more time to spend with her and everyone around me,” Stone said. In the long run, Stone said he knows that the two years spent studying will pay off. Stone was recognized during the Spears Business Best in Biz awards ceremony as a Top 5 senior in the department of economics. In April, he was also honored as one of nine students statewide to be awarded a $2,000 scholarship by the Economics Club of Oklahoma. After graduation, Stone will attend law school at the University of Oklahoma in August. “My mom and everybody while I was growing up said I should be a lawyer, because I’m really good at arguing with people,” Stone said. “As far as a career, I think it would be really cool to be
Friday, May 6, 2022 Page 3A
She is known as The Pioneer Woman because of her hit cooking show of the same name. She lives in Pawhuska, 81 miles northeast of Stillwater. She was born and raised in Oklahoma. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 1991 with a degree in gerontology. She has 15 different books, ranging from kids books to cookbooks. Abby Cage Joe Stone was recognized during the Spears Business Best in Biz awards ceremony as a Top 5 senior in the department of economics.
a judge, but I just want to enjoy whatever I end up doing.” Before attending law school, Stone plans to take a break from studying and relax during the summer, for the first time in two years. “There are a couple of things I want to do this summer. I want to read a book and I just want to lay on the floor and stare at a ceiling fan,” Stone said.
Stone said his positive mindset about studying will help him get through the next four years of law school. “I try to remind myself that I’m doing this to learn, not just to get it done,” Stone said. “Because if I’m just doing it to get it done, then it becomes a chore, and learning shouldn’t be a chore.”
Her family owns five businesses in Pawhuska, ranging from a bed and breakfast to a candy shop. She is an alumna of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Q&A: First-gen senior Kayla Canis and Oklahoma State, and OSU is the perfect campus. It is gorgeous. OSU also had tons of opportunities for me. They were in contact with me from the day I applied, to the day I got here on campus, Dru Norton and always provided lots News Editor of support and it just really felt like home. Q: Can you tell me Kayla Canis has de- a little bit about your famfied the odds. ily background? Growing up in a A: My mom is from single-parent household, Texas as well. She raised Canis is a first generation me and she’s honestly the college student graduating best person in the entire with a degree in human world. We’re so much development and family alike. We sometimes butt science. Canis reflects heads like any other mom on her time at OSU and and daughter, but she’s those who inspired her. my biggest support. And Q: Where are you she’s always encouraged from? me to do what I wanted A: I’m from Waxa- to do. My mom always hachie, Texas, 30 miles wanted me to do better south of Dallas. than what she had. Q: Why did you I was given the choose OSU? opportunity to go to a priA: Originally, I was vate high school through an animal science major scholarships, and I was and I thought I wanted to the first in my family to be a vet, so I was lookdo that because neither ing at vet schools and of my parents had gone I knew I wanted to go to college. My mom was out of state. So, I toured actually the only one to Louisiana State Univergraduate high school. And sity and Mississippi State so, taking that step and
Courtesy of Kayla Canis Kayla Canis will earn her master’s in social education.
graduating from a private high school and then continuing on to get my bachelor’s was something my family was completely supportive about and excited for me. Q: What is your biggest takeaway from college? A: My biggest takeaway from college would definitely be taking opportunities and seeing how much you can grow out of them instead of
taking opportunities and seeing like, ‘Okay, what can this position do for me?’ It’s more of, ‘Okay, what can I do for this position and how in turn is that gonna help me out?’ You know, being selfless in positions is important to achieve the most for that position or that organization, but also to get the most out of it yourself. See First-gen on 7A
Ree Drummond will speak at all four graduation ceremonies.
way! a e d i H inal g i r he O t t ou k ec Ch
SINCE 1957,
230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK 74074
Congratulations to all of our OSU graduates. We wish you the best of luck as you move forward to your next adventure.
Stop in for fresh Fried Mushrooms or Pizza made to your liking!
Page 4A Friday, May 6, 2022
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A trip down memory la
Letters from Pete(s) Both Pistol Petes from this school year are graduating Saturday. In light of their graduations, Parker Wilson and Michael Albright wrote letters to the OSU community.
“
Parker Wilson, Pistol Pete No. 91 Thank you to everyone who had an impact on my life during my years at Oklahoma State University. I especially want to thank my mom for always believing in me and putting me on the right track. I would not be here today without her constant love and support. As I transition away from Pistol Pete, I think the thing I will miss the most is the community that Oklahoma State has on campus. It is a very special feeling being a student at this University and I am proud to say I am officially a graduate. There’s no place like Stillwater! Go Pokes!
“
”
Michael Albright, Pistol Pete No. 92
Oklahoma State, thank you for all the memories! Thank you for the energy, enthusiasm, and spirit that fills this campus every day. I truly believe there is no other place like Stillwater, Oklahoma. I have lived here my entire life, and as I move away I will miss the life that this campus brings to my hometown. I am beyond proud to have served this university as Pistol Pete, and I am forever thankful for the OSU community for continually supporting myself and the Pistol Pete tradition. As I graduate, I will never forget all of the wonderful experiences I have had here. Go Pokes forever!
”
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Friday, May 6, 2022 Page 5A
ane, 2021-2022 at osu
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Lifestyle
I got much out of it. I don’t Applications... think think the application process was
hit their goals for the semesters going forward. difficult because of it though.” “Campus visits and events Since fall 2019, the OSU are a critical part of the prospecacceptance rate hovered around tive student’s college selection Continued from 1A 70% with a low of 67% in the fall process. Prospective students who of 2020 and as high as 71% for fall attend a campus tour or on-camFor incoming students, the of 2022, as April 8. pus event are more likely to apply campus was hard to tour due to “We do look at acceptance for admission and attend OSU. We the pandemic, some were only rates and numbers, but that’s roll out the orange carpet for our able to go on virtual visits, but the not the priority. Our focus is on guests,” Hartman said. college decision was made tedious the student as a whole so we can Hartman is determined to for high school seniors preparing determine how to best help that continue to oversee the growth for their next steps. Estelle Tiuse- student succeed at OSU,” Hartof admission numbers at OSU as co, an incoming OSU freshman, man said. “Going back to the time goes on. found those same speed bumps in land-grant mission and the impor“We will continue creating her journey. tance of access, we are committed and implementing initiatives that “The biggest difference I to helping students.” support our land-grand mission, would say is that I never officially With campus visits back and we will continue the trajectoured OSU before deciding,” in-person and consistently going tory of helping students succeed at Tiuseco said. “The only college I about campus, the Office of AdOSU,” Hartman said. toured was OU. I did do a virtual missions is quick at work attempttour of OSU though, but I don’t ing to maintain its momentum and news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of Dr. Jeanette Mendez Jeanette Mendez has been used in multiple interim roles around Oklahoma State.
Interim provost, Mendez, one of three finalists for full time position
Chris Becker Editor-in-Chief
the faculty at OSU in 2005 and has served in a variety of roles, most recently as being a political science professor before taking over as interim provost. She has served in roles ranging from professor to interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Whenever there’s a role needing to be filled, Mendez has stepped in. However, when she got into academia she didn’t think she’d find herself in administration. “I never had any intention of being an administrator. I love being a faculty member, I love teaching classes, I love doing my research and just opportunities put me in different places, so I always say that I’ll go where the university needs me,” Mendez said. Mendez’s finalist interview was Wednesday, after Cohen, who interviewed on Tuesday. The final interview is scheduled to be with Alexander next Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. The interviews will be broadcast live streamed for students and faculty. The search committee hopes to select a new provost before the fall semester. When asked for an interview with The O’Colly, Mendez declined. “Thank you for reaching out. As a finalist for the position I do not think it would be appropriate to be interviewed at this time,” Mendez said.
Jeannette Mendez strives to fill in where she’s needed. Mendez holds the title of interim provost at Oklahoma State, a role she has held since March 31, 2021, when former OSU provost Gary Sanderfur retired. “The things that I’m doing on the undergraduate side and working closely with the provost already, being in those meetings, meeting with the deans frequently, meeting with our vice president of administration and finance frequently,” Mendez told The O’Colly in 2021. “Those are all the kind of ‘on the job training,’ that would be necessary for being an interim provost or provost, and so I think with the transitioning it will help in that way.” When OSU announced April 29, the three finalists to permanently fill the job, Mendez was one of the three finalists. She joins Lee Cohen, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi and Joyce Alexander, who was most recently the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M before stepping down in 2021, as the finalists. Mendez joined news.ed@ocolly.com
Fall 2022 has seen the highest amount of applications to Oklahoma State since fall 2013.
Courtesy of Gary Lawson
A ‘Hell of a Book’ review Claire Hosterman Staff Reporter
I’ll start with the fact that this book is indeed a hell of a book. The book took me longer than usual to read because the intertwining three narratives can get a bit confusing, but also brought light to deep societal issues. This book covers the growing up as an African American in the U.S. The narratives follow an author experiencing a midlife crisis, a young boy bullied for the color of his skin and The Kid, who was taught to disappear. Through these narratives, the author uses spurts of humor and despair to discuss themes such as race, mental health, social justice, family and love. As a young white woman, I read this book in small bits over the last few months because with every bit I read, I wanted to properly process it. It is uncomfortable to read about the inequality African American citizens face in this country. I believe that, as someone who is not oppressed by their skin color, I can deal with the uncomfiness from merely reading about these hardships. I think this book does a great job at describing the experience of growing up
File Photo Author Jason Mott describes a Black writer’s book tour throughout the country, only to find out about the racial violence taking place in America at the time.
Black in the U.S. Art pieces like this book bring us a step closer at trying to understand the perspectives of those who are marginalized. I think the topics in this book are important and I would
recommend this book to someone who is open to looking at things from a different perspective. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
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Friday, May 6, 2022 Page 7A
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First-gen...
members. She would help with living skills and daily needs, like feeding, dressing, changing, all that. She loved it, I definitely think I picked up my Continued from 3A serving people passion from her. Because she’s just done it so effortlessly, Q: What are your future plans? her whole life. A: I’m actually staying at OSU Q: What does being a first gento get my master’s in social educaeration college student mean to you? tion. I’m going to be doing that for A: Being a first generation colthe next two years in Stillwater, and lege student is definitely something I’ll be in an assistantship position for so meaningful to me, but I think it’s Opportunity Orange Scholars, which really awesome to know that my seis a new program, OSU is starting for nior year when I look back on it, I’m inclusive post-secondary education like, ‘Wow, I’ve grown so much.’ I’ve for students with disabilities. Dr. Jen- achieved so much, not that it doesn’t nifer Jones also has a research project feel like I’m a first generation colgoing on for her institute that surveys lege student, but I was so supported Oklahoma and I’ll be a graduate asthat there wasn’t anything holding me sistant for that as well. back because I was a first generation My mom used to do health college student. home work; working with families news.ed@ocolly.com who have elderly parents or family
Photo Provided Kayla Canis, a first generation college student, grew up in a single-parent household.
Historic hiring As students graduate, the job market surges in the U.S. to new heights
Teyte Holcomb Lifestyle Editor As students graduate and get their first real glimpse of adulthood, many are left with a new challenge: finding a job. As the pandemic comes to an end, students are finally beginning to get a chance to find real in-person jobs and job interviews. Although the pandemic has changed the way job searching impacts students, many are excited to finally begin their post-graduation life without the stress of the pandemic weighing them down. Brynn Pendergrass, a graduating business student, said she is looking forward to all of the opportunities that come with a post-grad and post-pandemic life. “Coming out of the pandemic, it is refreshing to see new job opportunities that we haven’t seen since early 2020,” Pendergrass said. “Having these new opportunities gives me hope for the future and my future career opportunities.” Graduating students aren’t the only ones looking for jobs, either. According to an article from CNBC, there are more than 11 million open jobs right now in the U.S., and companies are taking applicant requests into consideration. The article also explains that
Courtesy of Darla Jirousek Darla Jirousek said she is excited about the new opportunities that are coming with post-pandemic life.
the start of the pandemic and companies are finally gave employees across beginning to realize the the country a realization importance of workers of morals and priorities and the benefits that it within their company, takes to keep employees resulting in many vacan- happy.” cies in businesses across As the economy the country. begins to jump back Although this has post pandemic, graduatleft some adults looking students have taken ing for new jobs, college advantage of the job students are beginning market and all of the to have the upper hand jobs that are offered. when it comes to the Although graduates and search. Darla Jirousek working adults alike are said she is grateful that taking advantage of this she has the opportunity job market, it seems as to move to pursue her though students have the career. upper hand. “I have always As the post-panwanted to live in Daldemic grows, it is clear las, and luckily my job I that there will be a job found gave me the oppor- market surge for the near tunity to move there,” future. Jirousek said. “The market now is better than it ever has been for a job, entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
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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
Page 8A Friday, May 6, 2022
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Senior advice to freshmen Konrad Olbert, hospitality and tourism management: “Don’t take everything so seriously. Live in the moment and enjoy the little things life has to offer.” Dean Ruhl, Sports Editor, sports media: “Things get bad for all of us, but what you do under the constant stress is what defines you.” Nicole Calhoun, psychology: “Learn how to take care of yourself mentally now, so when it gets really tough in a couple years you’ll be OK.”
Chris Becker, Editor-in-Chief, sports media: “You don’t have to know what you’re doing right away, find your niche. Don’t rush through the process, it by quickly.”
Calvin Ryan, physiology: “Be yourself. Don’t try to change for anyone else.”
Kelsey Kersgieter, landscape architecture: “Live in the moment. Don’t get hung up on the future. Understand that you’ll make friends. You’ll get discouraged. You’ll make and lose friends. Grades don’t super matter. Enjoy this experience and look forward to the future.”
Dru Norton, News Editor, multimedia journalism: “Don’t focus too much on grades. Take time for yourself and do the things you always wanted to do. College is the time to make meaningful connections and have new experiences.”
Sooner or later Maxwell’s rise from backup to Bedlam leader his pitcher down in his office. Sam Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor In the room decked out with
framed pictures and signed memorabilia, player and coach A few years ago, junior had a frank, rather bleak exit pitcher Kelly Maxwell probably interview. had a better shot of leaving OSU “He just said, ‘I don’t than leading it. know if you’ll be able to play After Maxwell’s freshman here,’ type of thing,” Maxwell year, coach Kenny Gajewski sat said.
Now, in Maxwell’s redshirt junior year, she will lead OSU against Oklahoma, the nation’s No. 1 team. That conversation helped spur Maxwell’s rise to becoming OSU’s ace and one of the best pitchers in the country.
Branson Evans OSU pitcher Kelly Maxwell has accumulated a 1.04 ERA this season.
See Sooner on 5B
Jackson Holliday’s impending decision reminiscent of father’s
STILL CRUSE-IN’ Karisa Sheely Deonte Cruse, a student assistant on OSU’s football staff, was born prematurely and doctors expected he wouldn’t walk, talk or grow teeth.
After defying odds, Cruse first in family to graduate
Dean Ruhl Sports Editor Deonte Cruse’s daily reminder rests in his wallet. Tucked in the folds and creases is a student ID card for Gerald Howse, Cruse’s best friend who died two years ago. “He’s like my guardian angel when it comes to this,” Cruse said. Howse and Cruse, a student assistant for OSU’s football team, grew up together in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They played high school football with each other, Cruse as a lineman and Howse as a running back at Seigel High School. The pair reconnected at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, playing
two seasons and guiding the Norsemen to a conference championship. But Howse’s impact on Cruse wasn’t just as teammates. “When he passed away, I saw how many lives he changed,” Cruse said. “I hate to say it, but if it wasn’t for my friend to pass away, I probably wouldn’t even be coaching.” Years after they’d left NEO, the friends always talked about returning to coach in Miami. Howse entered the coaching profession years earlier, but Cruse never acted on it. Howse’s death changed that for Cruse. He got in contact with the coaches at NEO, and weeks later, was brought onto the staff despite not having a bachelor’s degree. He spent two seasons as an assistant, before reconnecting with another of his former coaches, Joe Bob Clements, OSU’s current linebackers coach.
In 2013, Cruse spent a season on the Cowboys’ roster after leaving NEO. Clements brought Cruse to work several camps this past summer at OSU. Opportunities kept popping up for Cruse to continue climbing up the coaching ladder, but he was lacking something. His degree. Short 13 credit hours, Cruse re-enrolled at OSU in January, and on Saturday will complete another one of his goals. He will graduate with a degree in university studies, the first person in his family to graduate from college. “My mom went to Murray State, and she didn’t finish because she had kids in college,” Cruse said. “My dad went to Western Kentucky, but he didn’t finish school. So, I am a first-generation graduate.” For Cruse, 31, life has been marred with adversity since birth. But it didn’t stop him.
And on Saturday, the determination and sacrifice will pay off. *** Cruse was expected to be born Christmas Day, 1990. But after his mother, Setonia, started having preterm labor, that wasn’t going to happen. Steroid shots were administered to help Cruse’s lungs and heart grow in the womb, but the doctors had already started to have difficult talks with the parents. His survival chances were slim to none. Just six months in, Cruse was born premature. Weighing just three pounds, the doctors told his parents he wouldn’t walk, talk or grow teeth. He was diagnosed with a mild case of cerebral palsy, a group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, caused by damage occurring most often before birth. See Cruse on 3B
“baseball rat.” His two sons, Matt and Josh, both played professionally and now coach at OSU. Jackson, son of Matt Holliday and Ben Hutchens senior at Stillwater Staff Reporter High School, is one of the latest baseball rats Whenever Tom the family produced. In Holliday reached for two months, Jackson, a straw wrapper his the fourth-ranked MLB grandson, Jackson, draft prospect, will face would reach for a butter a choice similar to the knife. one his father faced 24 Holliday needed years ago. to entertain his table Say no to family full of grandchildren and college or delay as they waited on their professional baseball food, so he went for aspirations. what he knows best: In 1998, Matt was baseball. Even when the third-ranked quarhis wife, Kathy, quiterback in his class. Les etly protested the odd Miles, offensive coorbehavior, the Hollidays dinator at OSU, wanted transformed the table him to lead the Cowinto a baseball diaboys on the gridiron mond. and Tom wanted him Tom Holliday to hit cleanup on the crumpled up the wrap- diamond. The Colorado per and flipped it to Rockies also drafted Jackson who would hit him in the seventh it with his “bat.” If they round, later than his tallost the wrapper Jackent warranted because son would find another there was speculation one to keep the game he would play collegoing. giately. “Of course, I got Once Miles left my wife saying, ‘Stop for the NFL, Matt’s it.’ No, I’m not going to options narrowed. Tom stop it,” Tom Holliday said just by watching said. “You want to have the Pittsburgh Steelers dinner?” together on Sundays he Baseball has could always tell Matt gripped the Holliday was enamored with family for generations. professional sports. Tom Holliday, former Matt chose to pass on OSU baseball coach, college and sign with got into the game the Rockies. because his dad was a See Holliday on 4B
Braden King Jackson Holliday, a consensus top-10 pick in the upcoming MLB draft, will need to make a difficult decision once he graduates high school, similar to the one his father, Matt, made years ago.
What’s Inside
Bailey’s breakthrough Page 2B
Cowgirl senior leading team into NCAA regionals.
Carry on Page 5B
OU, OSU softball coaches striving to keep series alive after Sooners leave for SEC.
Fatal fall Page 6B
Hakanen’s fight through pain, recovery, after rupturing Achilles tendon a season ago.
Page 2B Friday, May 6, 2022
Young confident regular season molded Cowgirls for difficult regional
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sports
Stillwater Regional
Daniel Allen Staff Reporter Chris Young’s team will face what he believes to be the toughest challenge yet. Young, OSU’s women’s tennis coach, has defied expectations. The Cowgirls were projected to finish in the middle of the Big 12 standings. They were considered too young and inexperienced. Young’s primary singles player, Alana Wolfberg, was sidelined for the majority of the season due to a right hand injury. But, Young said he believes the adversity his team has faced will shape them for the NCAA tournament. “Postseason play is always fun,” Young said. “It’s a chance to show where your team is at competitively, while also giving us a chance to see if all of our hard work all season paid off. You know, this team has worked all season so I don’t see how it would do anything other than that.” On Saturday, No. 12 OSU welcomes UCLA, Arkansas and New Mexico State to the Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater for regional play in the first round of the NCAA tournament. New Mexico State won the WAC conference tournament. Arkansas and UCLA were considered by many as two seeds heading into the selection show. Arkansas, having recorded ranked wins over SMU, Vanderbilt and Alabama. The Razorbacks were 8-5 in conference play, finishing fifth in the SEC standings,
Greenwood Tennis Center Saturday, 4 p.m., vs. New Mexico State *Sunday, TBD, vs. UCLA or Arkansas * - Saturday win necessary. while the Bruins recorded five ranked wins, finishing second in the Pac-12 standings with a 7-1 record. “I mean (our regional) has got to be the hardest,” Young said. “Ours maybe Oklahoma’s down in Norman. Our region or theirs is probably the hardest. Arkansas and UCLA should have both been two seeds in my opinion. It’s a tough draw for us for sure.” Amid the difficulty of the Stillwater regional, Young said he believes the difficult schedule his team faced over the course of the regular season built them for moments like this. OSU finished with a total of 10 ranked wins, and finished third in the Big 12 standings, being one win shy from a share of a conference title. “I think the fact that seven (Big 12) teams made it shows how difficult our conference is,” Young said. “We played against the other six teams during conference play. I think that alone prepared us for moments like this weekend.”
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File Photo OSU coach Chris Young said the adversity the Cowgirls faced this season shaped the team to compete in a formidable regional.
File Photo Lianna Bailey won the Big 12 Golfer of the Month for April after winning the individual crown at the Big 12 Championship.
Bailey wins Big 12s, Cowgirls hosting NCAA regional Chris Becker Editor-in-Chief Lianna Bailey couldn’t hold back the tears. Standing on the back of the 18th green at The Clubs at Houston Oaks, the Cowgirl senior was overcome with emotion when reflecting on her season after the Big 12 Championship. Bailey’s season was filled with a mix of ups and downs. After the Cowgirls finished runnerup in the 2020-21 season, Bailey returned home to Leicester, England, but she struggled. Then, when she got back to a reloaded Cowgirl roster she struggled to crack the lineup. In fact, she didn’t make a lineup for the Cowgirls in the fall. “For me, I came full circle a little bit, finishing my junior year. I had such a great year. Individually I had two wins and I was playing the best golf I had ever played,” Bailey said. “I went home that summer, and had the worst summer I ever had. The whole fall I didn’t qualify to keep
plugging away to winning the first tournament of postseason play. “On the last green I just cried.” After all the adversity in the offseason and the fall, Bailey cracked the code. She broke back into the Cowgirl lineup, not relinquishing her spot the remainder of the season. Her journey from a forgettable fall culminated seconds before the emotions began flowing on the back of the 18th green. Bailey had just finished off a dramatic final round, which led her to an individual Big 12 title. She was the commanding leader heading into the third, and final round, of the event but nerves and a challenging course saw her lead diminish. She didn’t know she had clinched the win until her ball was on the 18th green and the crowd let her know. “I felt the whole round was a battle with myself,” Bailey said. “When I double bogeyed the 14th hole I thought it was over. I only realized going down 18 that I was about to win the tournament. It took a few days to sink in, really.” The win means a lot to Bailey, as she prepares to
2022 Stillwater Regional No. 6 Oklahoma State No. 7 Arizona State No. 16 Baylor No. 17 Auburn Michigan State Clemson Campbell Furman NC State California Tulane Illinois State *The top four teams advance to the NCAA Championships May 20-25 in Scottsdale, Arizona. graduate Saturday, but her season isn’t over yet, and neither is the Cowgirls. Monday marks the first round of the Stillwater regional for the NCAA Championship. The Cowgirls have the chance to do something they rarely get to do, defend their course. “It’s exciting and I think it’s cool because (Karsten Creek) is such a challenge to play, playing it in competition is even more exciting,” Hailey Jones said. “I think we have a really good advantage, we know the course, we know how to play everything.” Several Cowgirls are expecting their families to be
in attendance at the regional, including Bailey. The atmosphere, the team expects, will help give them momentum and help propel them to the needed top four finish to advance to the National Championship. “It’s a unique opportunity to play at home. This is the first time for me to play a postseason event at home,” assistant coach Maddi Swaney said. “This will be fun. Stillwater, they love Oklahoma State and there is a great following for OSU golf and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
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O’Colly
Friday, May 6, 2022 Page 3B
sports
Cruse...
other First-Gen Grads
Continued from 1B “I used to spend hours going to the library researching, ‘premature baby’ or ‘cerebral palsy,’” Setonia said. “I needed to know what I was up against.” The first few years were difficult. Cruse needed occupational, physical and speech therapy. The family learned Cruse needed myringotomy surgery, a procedure where an incision is made in the eardrum and tubes inserted to drain fluid. At 2 years old, Cruse had yet to say his first words. He hadn’t walked. The doctors kept telling his parents it wasn’t going to happen. They scheduled an appointment to have Cruse fitted for a wheelchair after the family visited Setonia’s mom for Thanksgiving in Kentucky. “My husband and I went to Walmart, and when we came back home, my mom was like, ‘This baby can walk,’” Setonia said. “Sure enough, he was walking around the coffee table.” Cruse began walking, but the talking didn’t catch on until a year later. While his parents sat on the bed one evening, Cruse began babbling and speaking his first words. He remained undersized for most of his childhood. He wore leg braces for 10 years before switching to special insoles because his feet were flat. He avoided playing organized sports because he was undersized but remained active, playing with neighborhood friends and cousins. When he turned 10, he hit a major growth spurt, going from the smallest to the tallest in his friend group. His feet grew, and he needed size 13 shoes. He joined a little league football team, but was inexperienced. He spent the offseason learning the game and continued growing. By 12, he was starting on the highest level of little league, weighing 250 pounds and needing size 15 shoes. The team won every game in dominant fashion, resulting in opposing parents asking to see birth certificates. He dressed as a freshman on the varsity team, eventually breaking into the starting spot. *** Cruse didn’t want to tell his parents.
Bryce Williams Photo Provided After leaving NEO, Deonte Cruse played one season at OSU in 2013 as a preferred walk-on.
His girlfriend was pregnant. It was a tough way to start senior year. He was named MVP at a linemen camp at Ohio State over the summer. After being underrecruited, he was starting to collect offers. Five schools were calling. After being written off as a Division 2 or 3 player, scouts were interested. Now, he was about to be a father. “When you hear that as a young kid, you think, ‘Oh no, life is over,’” Cruse said. “I waited so long to tell my parents because I was scared.” But, his grades were an issue. Academics hadn’t been emphasized at his school, and he was suffering the consequences. Instead of committing to a Division 1 school, Cruse enrolled at North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy, a prep school in Charlotte, North Carolina, intended to help Cruse improve his ACT and SAT scores. The school had produced NFL-caliber players like former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown and current Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson. Cruse dominated at NC Tech, with the program doing what he’d always done. Win. The team dominated, winning each game. But Cruse would face another setback. Toward the end of the season, he tore his right ACL and meniscus, prematurely
ending his season. During the rehab process, rumors began swirling on if the school was NCAA accredited. It wasn’t. Cruse had wasted one of his four years of eligibility, blown-out his knee and wasn’t any closer to reaching the Power Five level. Eleven years later, Cruse can still find the ESPN expose article easily. “All the stuff that we did and worked on, didn’t mean anything,” Cruse said. He spent seven months rehabbing his knee. After being released from treatment, Cruse signed with NEO, joining his former high school teammate Howse. He redshirted his first year and contemplated transferring again. He still wasn’t making progress on reaching the Power Five level. The team won one game his redshirt year, followed by three the year after. He talked with Howse again about transferring, but NEO coach Dale Patterson persuaded them to return for a final season. “I remember me and Howse went back to our dorm room and said, ‘Do we want to stay?”’ Cruse said. Cruse’s grades, still not good enough to attend a D1 school, had no choice. He returned as the leader, guiding NEO to a 9-1 record and conference championship. Read full story at ocolly.com
STUDENT-ATHLETES GRADUATING Football: Israel Antwine Lamont Bishop Sean Michael Flanagan Matt Hembrough Tyler Lacy Jabbar Muhammad CJ Tate Jaylen Warren Hunter Woodard Zeke Zaragoza
Men’s Basketball: Isaac Likekele
Baseball: Roman Phansalkar Riley Taylor
Women’s Tennis: Lisa-Marie Rioux Dariya Detkovskaya Lora Broggs
Softball: Kelly Maxwell Karli Petty Morgyn Wynne Chyenne Factor Kiley Naomi
Women’s Basketball: Kassidy De Lapp Women’s Golf: Lianna Bailey Men’s Tennis: Luke Hammond
Men’s track and field: Kobe Christiansen Calahan Newsome Isai Rodriguez Ryan Smeeton
Women’s track and field Ariane Ballner Megan Mann Sydney Ritter Ryan Roane Michaela Travers Wrestling: Daton Fix Kaden Gfeller Soccer: Rebekah George Hayley Ledford Grace Yochum Ally Jackson
was hard. A year ago, Sam Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor Williams was serenaded
with “One more year” chants after his last game When he received of the year in Gallagherhis diploma, Bryce WilIba Arena. He wasn’t sure liams overcame an enemy. if basketball’s appeal was No, really. For enough. Williams, OSU’s senior “Coach Mike and guard, walking across the the coaching staff and the stage will signify the end players, all this family of an abysmal time. culture, it makes me want “I hate school so to come back,” Williams much it’s ridiculous,” said. “But I don’t have Williams said. no straight answer for Don’t get him you because school is my wrong. Williams, a enemy.” university studies major, It is safe to say can tolerate his disdain Williams has enjoyed for lectures, homework listening to coaches more and tests. He loves playthan professors and has ing basketball and chose liked reading scouting to stay at OSU for the reports more than text2021-22 season to play for books. coach Mike Boynton. Even that decision sports.ed@ocolly.com
Christina Ollison mom, brothers, grandparSam Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor ents and friends.
“It was really awesome to have my dad there because my dad was really sick,” Christina said. “I didn’t know if he was going to make it. I was like, ‘I don’t want to walk the stage if my dad isn’t going to be there.’” Ollison, graduated in December with a degree in animal science. “Having him there means a lot to me, especially my mom and my little brother, because my little brother is in high school. And you know, he really struggled a lot in school. And I feel like you know, if he came to my graduation that he would, you know, kind of buckle up a little bit and be like, okay, like, I see the master’s degree, so I know that I can do it.”
Christina Ollison did not want to walk the stage without her father. At first, Ollison, a sprinter on OSU’s track & field team, was not sure if her dad, Torrey Ollison, would be able to attend her graduation. Torrey has kidney failure, and his daughter’s graduation was one of the occasional days he feels ill. On the Friday of Christina’s athletic graduation in December, a ceremony where graduating athletes are honored before the campus-wide graduation, Torrey was determined to make it. He was not going to miss the celebration of Christina, a first-generation college graduate. He made the drive and was there with Christina’s sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Page 4B Friday, May 6, 2022
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sports
Holliday...
online options similar to a col- occasionally rummy gets mixed lege. It allowed the family to in. be flexible, following Matt on When it is just the family several road trips throughout playing, Matt and Leslee are Continued from 1B each season. always on a team. The games “We didn’t go too long are laid back. “There were a few more without seeing each other so “Sit around, shoot the slightly different factors in my that was kind of our thing,” breeze and just enjoy each decision than his,” Matt said. Matt said. other’s company and hang out,” “But, obviously, the similarities Jackson spent hours in Leslee said. would be he has to make a de- MLB clubhouses, soaking evEthan Holliday, Jackson’s cision on whether he wants to erything in. At only three years younger brother and freshman be a professional as an 18 year old, he could imitate the swings on the Stillwater baseball team, old, or if he wants to come to of the players he watched. is the loudest voice at the table. college. So yeah, in some ways “Jackson kind of became Ethan said he is the most it is a little similar.” like a circus thing,” Tom said. talkative one in the famTo Jackson, the situations “‘Hey, watch Matt’s kid, watch ily and, predictably, talks to aren’t identical, but he is still this, ‘Show me Matt CarpenJackson about his plans all the able to draw on the experiences ter’s swing.’” time. The brothers are close, his dad had for guidance. Jackson has gone and Ethan knows in a couple “I wouldn’t say from imitating big months they won’t be living put myself in his league swings under the same roof. shoes but kind to possess“I mean, he’s leavof learn from ing one. He ing,” Ethan said. “He’s going his experiis the top to either Oklahoma State or ences and shortstop somewhere in either Florida what he prospect or Arizona. So, I just got to was able to in the prepare myself that he’s leavdo out of upcoming and just got to know that high school ing MLB he’s got big plans. God has big and become draft. plans for him, so I just got to Jackson Holliday spent a large portion pro and how Jack- root for him.” of his childhood in MLB clubhouses he handled son said he Ethan said he doesn’t it,” Jackson doesn’t get know if he’s ready for his said. “It was just tired of people brother to leave. He said bekind of good for me asking him what cause of his dad’s MLB career to be able to learn.” he’s going to do. He said he thinks he is prepared for it Josh and Matt grew up his family has talked about but knows it will sting a little at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, having two “Plan As,” playat first. a great environment to raise ing for his family and with his Jackson will work out for kids, Tom said. To spend time friends at OSU or starting his several MLB teams in the comwith their dad they went to the professional career. ing weeks ballpark. Still, Tom didn’t want The conversations and, to force the game on them. about his future mostly on “(It was) December, 30 take place around the degrees and they wanted to go family dinner table. hit,” Tom said. “It’s not like Leslee said the we just rammed it down their family’s favorite throat. We let them choose it.” meal she cooks Jackson, 18, has also is bison filets, grown up around baseball. sweet potatoes Jackson was a year-and-aand greens. half old hitting plastic golf “I have balls with a Little Tyke’s bat. to cook a lot,” Whenever he hit one into his Leslee said. grandparents’ fish tank, he ran “There’s a lot Josh Holliday (left) and Matt Holliday around going crazy. of calories that (right) played together at Stillwater High. “It’s not like we have a those boys conthing in the refrigerator that sume and so I just says: Baseball If you eat it, make a lot of food and you’ll play it,” Tom said. “It’s we just play cards and eat July not that easy. But it’s the sport and laugh about whatever went 17, hear that we kind of all have chosen on.” his name called in to fall in love with.” She said with both her the first round of the draft. He Jackson spent his childboys on the same baseball team will have to say no to either his hood following his dad’s 15there are no shortage of stories, uncle or his dream of profesyear MLB career. Matt and his and she savors the time listen- sional baseball. wife, Leslee, enrolled Jackson ing to them. The card game “That’s going to be a in a Florida school that had of choice is spades, although tough day in the Holliday
house,” Tom said. Josh said it wasn’t difficult recruiting Jackson and Ethan, both of whom are signed with OSU. “Bottom line is, my nephews, they’re the closest things you have in life to extensions of your own children,” Josh said. “So, they’re very precious and I’ve watched them grow up since the day they were born.” As he has matured, Jackson has trained with the Cowboys. At a fall practice last season, he worked into the batting practice rotation, not missing a beat in the talented OSU lineup. Playing for his uncle and alongside the people he considers friends would be a comfortable transition. “I think (Josh) just wants what’s best,” Jackson said. “I Love him, and I’d be happy to play for him and have an opportunity to be great.” If there were ever an 18 year old ready for professional baseball, it would be Jackson. The million-dollar signing bonus, the no-name town minor league grind, the weight of providing for a family through athletic performance, Jackson has seen it all. The maturity Jackson exudes after the game ends stands out just as much as his lateral quickness on the infield or opposite field power. Tom shared the story of a New York Mets representative he knows flying in to watch a Stillwater Pioneers game. The man had a five-minute conversation with Jackson and told Tom he had the best make-up of any prospect he’d talked to, and he’d only talked to the 10 best kids in the country. Jackson ended the conversation telling the scout he’d be back in three years because Ethan is going to be good too. Jackson is already conscious of what he eats. He takes further care of his body by getting up three mornings a week and lifting weights before he goes to school. “You have to teach college guys that and they don’t like it,” Tom said. “But he’s already got that at 18 in high school.” Jackson never appears
Courtesy of Tom Holliday Jackson Holliday is the top-ranked shortstop in the 2022 MLB draft.
rushed. He has time for everyone after games, hanging out by the net behind home plate for all who want to chat. “(Jackson is a) clean looking kid, you know, got his girlfriend, got his truck, Got his dogs. I mean, he’s got just about what any guy would want to be able to say he has a whole life,” Tom said. “I mean, he’s different.” The jarring maturity, Tom says, comes from the time he spent with his dad around MLB. Win or lose, whether his dad went 3-for-4 or 0-for-4, Jackson was allowed to be in the clubhouse, and has taken on his father’s levelheaded personality. Matt Holliday said he thinks the maturity is part of Jackson being the firstborn. He said Jackson has always been a mature, humble kid who just likes baseball. Kids with those traits, who are also talked about as generational athletes, don’t come around often. Well, maybe they do in the Holliday household. And maybe there is a reason for that. “I think Matt and Leslie did a really, really unique job at exposing those kids to it, but never let it become too big for them,” Tom said. “And no time ever, ever let the family values slip away. Never.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Likekele announces transfer to Ohio State Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
Courtesy of OSU Athletics Aman Gupta is staring down the end of his college career, and he wants a national title before leaving Oklahoma State.
Gupta, Cowboys national title path winds through Columbus
“This year going forward at the end of the year I (want) a national championship before I head out in the summer,” Gupta said. “I’ve had two semifinals (finishes) and I don’t want a third. That’s the goal for the team, and for me.” Chris Becker Gupta’s run toward the elusive Editor-in-Chief championship continues on May 16-18, at the Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio. Aman Gupta doesn’t want to lose The No. 2-ranked Cowboys enter again. the regional as the top-ranked seed. Gupta, a senior on the OSU The Cowboys have won five straight men’s golf team, has been close to regional titles, and hold a nation-leadwinning the national championship in ing 15 total regional titles. The top five his collegiate career, but hasn’t been finishing teams in the regional adable to win. vance to the National Championship. Gupta has been on OSU teams It’s the sixth time the Cowboys that have lost two semifinal matches in have played a regional at the Scarmatch play and had one NCAA cham- let course; they’ve won twice, most pionship canceled due to COVID-19. recently in 2018, and have not finished With just at most two tournaworse than fourth. ments left for Gupta in his college career, he has viewed this season as a sports.ed@ocolly.com win at all costs.
Isaac Likekele is headed to OSU, but the one in Columbus. On Wednesday, Likekele announced on his Twitter he will be transferring to Ohio State after he entered the portal as a grad transfer. Likekele started for the Cowboys from 2018 to 2022, collecting many accolades along the way, such as becoming the only player in program history to score 1,000 points, collect 600 rebounds and dish out 400 assists in a career. In his last season with the Cowboys, Likekele started every game, averaged just over seven points, 3.4 assists and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 43.7% from the field. Likekele held OSU together through rough times — from when the team only had six scholarship players on roster, through the 2020 shortened season and during the 2021-22 season in which OSU was barred from participating in the postseason. On and off the court, many around the program looked up to
Abby Smith Likekele, OSU’s leader for four seasons, is leaving for the Buckeyes.
Likekele as the leader of the Cowboys through all the bad and good times. Likekele started 110 of his 114 career games, only missing few throughout his four seasons due to illness. Many still look back at the first round of the Big 12 tournament in 2020, where Likekele hit a running floater with four seconds on the clock to win over Iowa State. In 2021-22, Ohio State went 20-12 and were ranked for some of the season before eventually falling to Villanova
in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Likekele is among five former Cowboys to enter their name in the portal. Although the Cowboys added guard John-Michael Wright from High Point via the transfer portal on Monday, the guard depth for OSU is beginning to deplete with guard Avery Anderson entering his name for the NBA draft and Rondel Walker also looking for a new home in the portal. sports.ed@ocolly.com
O’Colly
Friday, May 6, 2022 Page 5B
sports Gasso, Gajewski, optimistic for Bedlam series’ future Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
Abby Smith After being swept, OSU outfielder Chyenne Factor refocused ahead of the Cowgirls’ series against Oklahoma.
Reprogramming
Cowgirls adapting for Bedlam
Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
He realized the ideology of depicting themselves as the team to beat became counterproductive toward the goal of success. He met with his team and changed the message to becoming those on the outside looking in yet again, a directive well accepted by his team. “We don’t have anything to defend,” starting pitcher Kelly Maxwell said. “We haven’t won it yet, we don’t have that ring. We’re still the underdog.” Instead, the Cowgirls are now finding new ways to stay competitive ahead of the series of the season. After the two losses to No. 4 Florida State this past week, Gajweski took the team to the Florida beaches, allowing his players to relax on a day away from softball. Players such as senior outfielder Chyenne Factor, took advantage of the offtime to regroup and remained focused despite being swept. “We could be more competitive,” Factor said. “We can punch back but we can never knock them down. We still have some more in us but we have to find some fire to keep us going.” The scheduling of a top-five team right before the series against OU was by design, as Gajewski wanted to face top opponents throughout the entire season to prepare his team for facing top opponents when it matters the most. “We don’t run away from anybody,” Gajewski said. “If they want to play, we’ll be right here.”
Seven years ago, Kenny Gajewski took over a turbulent program. With three losing seasons in the past four before Gajewski, OSU’s softball coach, was hired, his task appeared daunting. In the seven years with Gajewski at the helm, his Cowgirls have not suffered a losing season. Not particularly close to one either, but his trophy case remains empty. No Women’s College World Series rings. No Big 12 championships, not even a regular season conference title. After appearing in consecutive Women’s College World Series in 2019 and 2021, OSU opened the 2022 season as the No. 3 team in preseason polls. “We acted like we were being chased and had a target on our back,” Gajewski said. After 47 games, the Cowgirls sit at No. 7, and are coming off a two-game losing streak ahead of their matchup against rival, No. 1 team in the country and defending national champions, the Oklahoma Sooners. “Then I thought, ‘Why are we defending something that we don’t have,’” Gajewski said. “I don’t think there is anything we have that Oklahoma wants. They have what we want and we have to take it. We had to recalibrate our messaging.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Since the groundbreaking news last summer of OU and Texas leaving the Big 12, most of the attention has gone to football. Many fans on each side speculate whether the Oklahoma Sooners and OSU Cowboys will face off on the gridiron once the conference realignment occurs, but the same could be theorized about the diamond sports. With OU softball coach Patty Gasso collecting national championships and OSU softball coach Kenny Gajewski creating national buzz around the Cowgirls, the two teams have faced off in recent years, and the games have been energetic with high stakes. “The state has a lot to be excited about,” Gasso said. “OSU has elevated their program and for us to be playing for championships, it’s really spoiling the state. A lot of people are trying to tune in and watch. The fans come out, and as much as we are supposed to be enemies, the state should be proud of these two programs.” Although the coaches remain adamant about the series continuing after OU leaves the conference, neither gave absolute certainty about the match sustaining the move. When OU and OSU are not in the same conference, both cite the need to play high-ranked opponents as a reason to maintain the yearly matchup. Gasso imagined a regular season series between the two programs where each team is able to host one of the games, while Gajewski wants the series to be played in Oklahoma City. “These two teams are trying to win a championship,” Gasso said. “There’s a lot of emotion, but emotion is fun. These are the games you live for. Regardless of the outcome this series is going to make us better. And I would think OSU would say the same. The hardest games you play are the ones you remember for the rest of your life.” While discussing the future of
Abby C The University of Oklahoma has dominated softball since the inception of the Big 12.
the Bedlam series, Gajewski spoke about his conspiracy theory, one against the grain of most peoples’ belief. “I don’t even know if they (OU) are going to go to the SEC,” Gajewski said. “I think there’s a lot of unknowns. I just think this whole thing is going to blow up. The whole thing is going in a weird direction.”
Bedlam Softball @OU Softball Complex Friday, 6 p.m. (ESPN2) Saturday, 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Sooner... Continued from 1B “I went home that summer and I just worked my butt off,” Maxwell said. “I have a pitching coach back home and I learned how to throw in the glove.” Going home, to Friendswood, Texas, allowed Maxwell to hone in on her struggles freshman year. Gajewski said both he and Maxwell knew she needed to get better. She struggled to get batters out and did not look the part of an ace. After the summer, Maxwell came back to OSU with muchincreased location skills. Pitching coach John Bargfeldt came on staff and helped Maxwell develop her rise ball — a devastating pitch that has quickly become her signature. “She goes out here against everyone and dominates,” Gajewski said. “She is the ace of this staff. She has been, she will be.” Since taking over as OSU’s No. 1 pitcher at the start of the season, Maxwell is 15-2 with a 1.04 ERA. It has not been a cakewalk. The Cowgirls have played one of the nation’s most difficult schedules, and Maxwell has already surpassed the number of innings she threw last year. “Her numbers are absurd,” Gajewski said. “They’re like video game stuff. She’s pitched against the best teams. She’s had very few days off.” On Wednesday, Maxwell was announced as one of 10 finalists for the 2022 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. She shares the list with three Oklahoma players. Maxwell said she is treating OSU’s upcoming series against OU as she would any other. It’s a predictable answer. Maxwell has built a reputation for her calm, evenkeeled demeanor. Despite what Maxwell doesn’t do in the circle — fist pumps, yells and jumps — she is a competitor. She still commands the same determination she channeled into a
Habbie Colen OSU pitcher Kelly Maxwell improved her pitching arsenal this offseason, adding a rise ball to her repertoire.
summer of improvement. “She may not act like it out loud, but she’s probably the most competitive person on this team in a weird way,” Gajewski said. Gajewski contrasted Maxwell to Miranda Elish and Morgan Day, two OSU pitchers who are demonstrative while pitching. He also mentioned Jordy Bahl, OU’s fiery star freshman pitcher, as someone who may show more energy, but does not necessarily want games any more than Maxwell. Maxwell said Gajewski reminds her that he was wrong.
Maxwell’s work paid off for her, and for OSU. Instead of leaving after her freshman year in search of guaranteed innings or an easier path, Maxwell stayed. She stuck it out, and got better. Now she will likely pitch twice against OU for a chance at helping OSU win its first Big 12 regular-season championship. “When you know that, and you see who she has become, that’s a special thing,” Gajewski said. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Page 6B Friday, May 6, 2022
O’Colly
sports
Asi’s connection to assistant coach led to OSU commitment
Davis Cordova Staff Reporter
Courtesy OSU Athletics
After Achilles injury, Hakanen surging back Saara Hakanen’s rehab is ahead of schedule, and she has returned to prominence in jumping events.
Braden Bush Staff Reporter
For a moment, elation set in for Saara Hakanen and the OSU track and field staff. A second later, the emotions evaporated, quickly replaced with concern and uncertainty. Hakanen, a junior competing in long, triple and high jump, was coming off an All-Big 12 performance in May 2021. Weeks later, she competed at the NCAA preliminary west round in College Station, Texas, looking to qualify for the NCAA Championships. Only 24 competitors in each event qualify to compete, and she was now one of them. The jubilant staff headed to meet up with the national finalist, but as Hakanen stepped off the mat, she took an awkward step. Suddenly, Hakanen was unable to step with her left foot as she limped over to see her coaches. In an instant, Hakanen went from peak performance to injured. “It’s kind of blurry, the whole day, honestly,” Hakanen said. “But I remember when it happened, I was like, ‘Okay, now something’s bad.’ Like, it’s not just rolling my ankle, there was a hole where I was sup-
posed to have a tendon.” The diagnosis was a ruptured Achilles tendon, something Dave Smith, OSU’s track and field coach, said is a potentially career-ending injury. Hakanen was forced to withdraw from the upcoming triple jump, and her season was over. Priority migrated from training to recovery, and the road ahead seemed foggy. But Hakanen’s focus and work ethic – qualities Smith says are her greatest skills – couldn’t prevent her from surging back. “When it happened, I thought, ‘Man, this could be her entire career. It could be over,’” Smith said. “But not Saara. Not Saara, no way.” Surgery was performed after returning to Stillwater, and the rehab treatments began. Over the summer, trainers worked with Hakanen every day, sometimes in sessions up to two hours, trying to rebuild strength and mobility. It was her goal to make a speedy return, so she pushed the limits of recovery. Throughout rehab, Hakanen was ahead of schedule, progressing quicker than doctors or coaches anticipated for such a serious injury. “She approached
her rehab like she was preparing for an Olympic competition or something,” Smith said. “She just made it her No. 1 thing to get healthy.” Later in the summer, Hakanen was finally allowed to return home to Finland and continue recovery. Before attending OSU, her home country was where her focus and work ethic manifested, as she would routinely travel an hour by bike, bus and train to attend school and practice. Once she arrived home, Hakanen continued healing in her own way. “As soon as I got home to Finland, I just left my crutches on the floor and never touched them again,” Hakanen said. “I just learned to walk. I would just not wear my boot or my crutches and just walk super slowly everywhere and get it stronger.” The Finnish jumper returned to Stillwater for the 2021 fall semester and was able to increase rehab and eventually, began practicing again. After missing the indoor track season, she made her season debut in the outdoor season at the Texas Relays in March 2022. By late April, Hakanen recorded her first win of the season, clearing a 1.73m high
jump at OU’s John Jacobs Invitational. Against a major setback, she had returned to competing at a high level. But while she acknowledges her improvement with each competition, her goal of qualifying for regionals has yet to be accomplished. The jump at OU failed to qualify, and with the season winding to a close, opportunities to do so are few. Though getting back to where she was a season ago would be nice, Hakanen said she realizes that she’s done her best to get back to this point. More offseason recovery awaits, giving her time to get ready for the summer’s European season and Finnish nationals. Regardless of how the 2022 NCAA outdoor season pans out, Hakanen has far exceeded expectations in recovery and performance. She ended last season with no regrets, made no excuses during recovery and is finding ways to overcome this challenge. “If you put a roadblock up in front of her, she’ll find a way over it, under it, around it, whatever,” Smith said. “You’re not going to stop her.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE
to Arizona,” Asi said. “She came to my home and visited Estonia, she watched some of my practices. We built a really good relationship and she just kept an eye on me throughout the two years she wasn’t recruiting me. We kinda kept in touch like asking, ‘How are you’ and stuff like that.” Player built a strong pipeline with European prospects from her five seasons playing in Spain, Portugal and Poland. When Asi entered the transfer portal, Player again tried to recruit her. “When I went to the transfer portal she was one of the first people to call me and was really interested in me,” Asi said. “That was one of the main things that made me think more about OSU. The relationship with her, just coming to visit and meeting the whole team, meeting all the coaches and getting to know them pretty well, it just felt right.” Since OSU’s coaching change, 11 players have left the program. Asi said she believes she can add scoring and shot-creation for others, which the Cowgirls lacked last season. “Scoring is what I can add to the team,” Asi said. “I can shoot 3-pointers, floaters, layups and I’m working on my mid-range. That’s one of my main things. But, I can also create shots for others and be aggressive. I first try to create for myself then I find my teammates; that is what I think I’ve always done pretty well.”
Estonia to Arizona is not an easy switch. Anna Gret Asi, one of the newest members of the OSU women’s basketball team, felt “out of place” in the desertlike climate of Tucson, Arizona — a vastly different climate compared to her native country of Estonia. Estonia is located in Europe between the Baltic Sea and Russia. Asi visited Stillwater a few weeks ago before committing and to her, Stillwater felt like home. “It felt like home because of all the trees and green that was around,” Asi said. The northeastern European climate is similar to Stillwater. Hot summers, cold winters and unpredictable, such as when a tornado warning went into effect at the same time Asi was on her visit. “I kinda knew that Oklahoma was the place for tornadoes but I just wasn’t expecting it to happen the day I was there,” Asi said. “We were in (Gallagher-Iba Arena) and we had to evacuate to the locker rooms which was pretty scary because I had no clue what was going on.” Another reason Asi picked OSU was because of the connection between her and Jhasmine Player, who joined the Cowgirl coaching staff this offseason. “She recruited sports.ed@ocolly.com me even before I went
Courtesy of Arizona Athletics Anna Gret Asi, one of the latest commits for OSU women’s basketball, said Stillwater is similar to her home country of Estonia.
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Friday, May 6, 2022 Page 7B
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Daily Horoscope
Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS 1 Flows back 5 Sci. major 8 Fisher of “Wedding Crashers” 12 Eight or nine on the Beaufort scale 13 Twinge 14 Hijab and naqib, e.g. 16 NVS 18 Like Keebler’s animated bakers 19 Daze 20 Serpentine fish 22 Toy company with theme parks 23 TDS 26 Bound 30 Island chain 31 Parts of an island chain 32 Bagel flavor 34 Part of a flight 36 Steve Carell voice role 39 IC 41 MT 43 “__ been a while!” 44 Place to have a ball? 46 Smog element 47 Sweeping 49 Olive extract 51 Some Neruda poems 52 DVS 56 Costa __ 57 Pull the plug on 58 Top 10 U2 song from “Rattle and Hum” 63 High-five sounds 65 ODS 67 Totally fine 68 Cuatro y cuatro 69 Resale warning 70 “Betsy’s Wedding” writer/ director 71 Sporty truck, briefly 72 Zero DOWN 1 What some layers cover 2 Toon boy known for chalkboard gags
5/6/22
By Christina Iverson
3 Flag couleur 4 Flow slowly 5 __ leaf 6 “This isn’t optional!” 7 Nash who rhymed “Bronx” and “thonx” 8 First-person contraction 9 Date stamp 10 Apparel company with a smiling stick-figure icon 11 Set straight 13 Grave danger 15 Love thy neighbour, say? 17 Snarfing sound 21 Saint __: only country named for a woman 24 Sticky places? 25 Venice’s Piazza San __ 26 Novelist Picoult 27 Peck, e.g. 28 Notification while in silent mode, perhaps 29 Cauldron 33 Low point 35 Skirt
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
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37 Mythological character? 38 Applications 40 __ market 42 Aduba of “In Treatment” 45 Manage 48 Online grocer with green delivery trucks 50 Resulted in 52 __ Major
5/6/22
53 Wafer brand 54 Short-necked pear 55 “Snowfall” law gp. 59 Graceful bird 60 “Assuming that’s the case ... ” 61 Mess up 62 Choice word 64 Genre with Jamaican roots 66 __/her pronouns
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Today’s Birthday (05/06/22). Teamwork wins this year. Professional growth requires signing up for our highly discounted bundles. These include consistent advertising on all platforms listed determination, discipline and consistency. Spring brings personal discovery above plus additional perks and discounts. and awakening, usefully supporting you and your partner to navigate summer changes. Level up your relationship this autumn, andONLY rely $250/MONTH on each other with winter personal changes. Build together. ads@ocolly.com 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 9 — Domestic improvements provide lasting value. Realize dreamy results with elbow grease, paint and textiles. Advance family plans. Have fun together in your renewed place. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — You’re especially creative and intuitive. Write, sketch and outline. Edit, illustrate and polish the presentation. Determine how you’d like things to go. Prepare your message. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Grab a lucrative opportunity and run with it. Push now for a sweet bonus. Spend only what you need. Simplify to maximize savings. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Use your talents and charms to advance a personal project. Take advantage of favorable conditions. Keep your objective in mind. Provide a positive influence. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Take private time to think and plan. Postpone public conversations to review and assess what’s needed ahead. Walk outside. Consider options. Plot your course. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Support your team for common gain. You can win short-term objectives with a push now. Community connection feeds your heart. Dreamy results are within reach. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Take advantage of favorable conditions to propel a professional project to the next level. Action gets results. Focus on the job at hand. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Dream big. Imagine an educational adventure and research realities on the ground. Opportunities hide under the wings of change. Advance your investigation. Explore possibilities. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Collaborate to take advantage of lucrative conditions. Buy, sell and barter. Put together deals and sign contracts. You’re building for the future, step by step. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Support each other and get farther. Coordinate actions to save time and effort. You’re a powerful team. Advance your shared objectives. Deepen your connection. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Exercise energizes you. Put your heart into your work. Steady practices build high performance levels. Connect with nature and grow. Physical action gets satisfying results. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Have fun. Children make the best teachers. Enjoy family connections. Savor simple pleasures with people you love. Grab romantic opportunities when they appear.
Level 1
2
3
4
5/6/22
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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Page 8B Friday, May 6, 2022
O’Colly
sports
Daugherty’s surge leading to increased playing time Branson Evans Justin Campbell leads the Big 12 in strikeouts this season with 100.
Breaking down the numbers
Daniel Allen Staff Reporter OSU coach Josh Holliday wanted to establish two consistent catchers for his team. Over the years, he’s established catching duos. Colin Simpson and Bryce Carter anchored the tandem in 2019. Brock Mathis and Max Hewitt held it down in 2020 and 2021. However, heading into this season with a bevy of new names on the roster, nothing was certain. True freshman Ian Daugherty was thrown behind the plate in just the second game of his college career, and it couldn’t have been on a bigger stage. On the road, against No. 3 Vanderbilt, with OSU in desperate need of a win following a series-opening loss to the Commodores. His first start resulted in an 0-for-4 outing including a strikeout. During the first half of the season, Daugherty remained hitless, struggling at the plate. “It was honestly more of a mindset thing for me,” Daugherty said. “Being so young in such a big atmosphere gets to you. It definitely got to me early on, I’m not going to say it didn’t.” It took until March 10, 12 games into his freshman season, in the series opener against BYU for him to record his first college hit. “I remember it,” Daugherty said. “It felt good. It really did. It also gave me a huge confidence boost from then on.” Since then, Daugherty has been hot at the plate, raising his batting average up to .293 on the season, and hitting his first college home run on April 26, against Wichita
OSU’s baseball season to this point
Chris Becker Freshman catcher Ian Daugherty hit his first collegiate home run against Wichita State, and he since has been a consistent batter for the Cowboys.
State. Daugherty said escaping the mental aspect of his early season struggles was extremely difficult. It took months for him to properly adjust to the huge atmosphere he was thrown into as a freshman. “Working with Matt (Holliday) and Robin (Ventura) on tweaking little things in my swing definitely helped me out in my progression,” Daugherty said. “But another thing was conquering the nerves. Once I was able to do that, along with continuing to work on my swing with my coaches in practice, I was able to get going.” Daugherty’s offensive emergence has allowed Josh Holliday to take some of the weight off Chase Adkison, OSU’s primary starting catcher, who started over half
of the games early on. Holliday said he notices Daugherty’s willingness to improve and contribute to the team, and his desire to do so mixed with his offensive surge has contributed immensely to his increase in playing time. “I’ve seen him grow as a player since the start of the season,” Holliday said. “That’s why he’s playing a lot more. I see more confidence, I see more certainty, and I see better recognition. He’s earning it all and that’s a good thing, both for him and for the team. He’s growing up as the season goes on, which is what you want to see out of your players, especially your freshmen.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Doersching clobbered six home runs — five of which were postinjury. He hit two against Texas this past week. 4: Saves by two-way player Nolan McLean this season. Primarily a third baseman, Adam Engel McLean’s services as a pitcher Staff Reporter have increased this season. He recorded two saves against TexTen games remain in as while retiring all six batters OSU’s regular season. The Cow- faced and provides a high-90s boys enter this weekend’s series fastball speed from the bullpen. against Southeast Missouri State Originally recruited to OSU as a leading the Big 12. baseball player and quarterback, Here are five numbers McLean’s arm strength is highly from OSU’s season so far. regarded. 100: Strikeouts by ace “I’ve seen Nolan stand and pitcher Justin Campbell. let one (football) go that goes With an alpha-like pres80-85 yards,” pitcher Bryce ence on the mound, Campbell Osmond said. leads the Big 12 in strikeouts 55: Hits by outfielder Jake and it’s not particularly close. Thompson. Brandon Birdsell of Texas This team-leading statistic Tech has 86. Campbell’s triple originates from Thompson’s digit tally leads any other OSU veteran plate discipline and pitcher by 37 strikeouts. He durability. A sixth-year graduate fools hitters with high-end com- student, Thompson is the only mand. Cowboy to start every game “He’s a freak,” reliever so far this season. His teamRoman Phansalkar said. “Not leading .444 on-base percentage only mentally, but physically. manufactures runs toward the He’s as dialed in a pitcher as top of the lineup. I’ve seen here in college, and 1: Times OSU was swept I’ve watched OSU for a long so far this season. time.” To find OSU’s only sweep, Campbell has three regu- fans must rewind to early March lar season starts remaining. when the Cowboys hosted Gon500 feet: Distance that zaga. The Cowboys lost each designated hitter Griffin Dogame by a run in a pitching duel ersching’s home run traveled series. Doersching was unavailagainst Wichita State on April able with a broken foot and 12. offense remained scarce. GonWhen Doersching anzaga’s sweep is not detrimental nounced his graduate transfer to OSU as the Bulldogs lead the from Northern Kentucky, his West Coast Conference. raw power skills were clear. He missed 22 games earlier this season because of a broken left foot but continues to produce. sports.ed@ocolly.com