The O'Colly, Friday, September 29, 2023.

Friday, September 29, 2023

First flyover

Flying Aggies soar over BPS

Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor

Strapping in, Dash Ahlstrom prepared to navigate his plane 1,000 feet above ground level over Boone Pickens Stadium.

Ahlstrom was the navigator and timer for the four-person team chosen to participate in the flyover. His job: make sure both planes safely passed over BPS at the right time.

“We’d hold out at a point 12 miles east of the (Stillwater) airport,” Ahlstrom said. “The plane behind us would be following in formation on the left, then we’d just do right turns in a circle, essentially.”

Flying Aggies President

Ryan Austin said this is the first time members of the Flying Aggies participated in a home game flyover.

“We’ve never had this before,” Austin said. “There’s been Air Force flyovers and different other outside groups that have flown over home games, but never our own program.”

Austin said Ahlstrom, who is a member of the Flying Aggies competitive flight team, was selected because he was the highest scoring navigator on the Flying Aggies team at the last competition.

Ahlstrom said the team prepared for weeks. He would arrive roughly two hours before they took to the air to set the time and work out the logistics to simulate a realistic practice run.

Do non-Greek students feel left out of Homecoming?

Ashton Miller Staff Reporter

Students are counting down the days until “America’s Greatest Homecoming.”

Hours of work have gone into pomping and house decs already, and Homecoming is four weeks away. Sorority and fraternity houses are filled with talk of Homecoming.

Although Homecoming revolves around Greek life, other students do not feel left out.

McKenna Blair, spirit director for Student Union Activities Board, said she does not feel left out of Homecoming even

though she is not part of Greek life.

“Being a part of SUAB, I have experienced the inclusion the university has during homecoming,” Blair said. “There are numerous events all organizations can participate in.”

For example, the Homecoming parade draws participants and spectators from outside of Stillwater.

Starting on Main Street and traveling north to end up on Hall of Fame Avenue, the Homecoming parade attracts a variety of participants. Entries range from OSU student organizations to Stillwater community members.

See Non-Greek on 4A

Ahlstrom said both planes would take right turns, and he was in charge of timing up the circles each time. One would last about four minutes, and the second one, simulating the in-bound leg to the stadium, would last six.

During the flight, Ahlstrom said he kept his head down to keep track of the time but would look for Bennett Hall to pass under the wing as his signal to tell his pilot to break right.

“On the turns, I would still be doing the math,” Ahlstrom said. “So that guy in the left seat, Branden (Adams), he would hold up his fist and count it down, and I’d make a signal that he is going to turn so that when we turned in that semi-circle we wouldn’t lose our close formation.”

See Flyover on 4A

Chill out? Experts say cooler weather is on the way

Addie Wagner Staff Reporter

Fall means chilly breezes on the way to class and crisp foliage lining campus sidewalks.

Fall officially started Sept. 23. The weather in Stillwater is still sticky and warm, and trees remain perfectly green.

Wes Lee, an agriculture coordinator at Oklahoma Mesonet, said students will have to wait a bit longer to see fall in action, but he said fall is on the right track.

Depending on where a city is located, fall will come later or earlier than the rest of the state. The southern part of Oklahoma is expected to be the last to start fall.

“In Central Oklahoma, the peak fall color season, when the trees tend to have the best color, is going to be generally very late October to the first 10 days of November,” Lee said.

The sun setting earlier in the fall and winter seasons triggers the leaves to change colors. This means students will have to wait about a month for visual changes of autumn to occur.

James Aydelott, chief meteorologist at KOKO FOX23 in Tulsa, agreed.

“The key to the best color is keeping strong winds away,” Aydelott said. “As the leaves go dormant, leaves often loosen their attachment to trees, and a strong wind can blow the leaves off before they would fall off naturally.”

Kennedy

Ben Holieway

Courtesy of Dana Friend

left to right, Conor Gas, Dana Friend, Dash Ahlstrom and Branden Adams were the four team members who flew over

Schaufele, Coon relishing opportunity as Petes No. 95 and 96

next two Pistol Petes.

Note: In honor of the Year of the Cowboy, the 100th anniversary of Pistol Pete, The O’Colly will be producing weekly stories pertaining to OSU’s mascot.

Growing up, Caden Schaufele hated Pistol Pete.

In 2021, an Illinois logo printer company ranked Pete among the worst mascots in America because of his “creepy” appearance on a nationwide survey. That perception was no different to Schaufele during his childhood.

To his luck, practically every fall weekend as an adolescent entailed meeting the renowned OSU mascot. His parents held football season tickets his entire life, so the two came in contact often.

Schaufele never imagined that in his latter years of college he would be donning that same outfit, the mask, the cowboy hat, the western jacket and the spurs and boots.

Yet here he is.

On Sept. 2, Schaufele and Bryce Coon were officially inducted as Petes No. 95 and 96 and sworn into the OSU mascot fraternity.

“It’s pretty surreal to think about,” Schaufele said. “It’s like as a kid you’re scared of something and then fast forward, decades later, I’m wearing the (Pistol Pete) outfit.”

Coon (Pete No. 95)

tried out for the Pistol Pete role previously but was not selected. But to be chosen on the Year of the Cowboy, the 100-year anniversary of Frank Eaton’s affiliation with OSU, is meaningful for Coon, who said he relishes every moment as he reflects upon it.

“It’s definitely memorable,” Coon said. “Getting to be at the Homecoming game in the Year of the Cowboy and all of the Homecoming (decorations) being based on Pistol Pete, is so cool. That type of feeling is hard to put into words.”

Schaufele (Pete No. 96) said he considered trying out before, but after extensive nights of weighing his options, he backed out last minute. Now, Schaufele said his induction feels like a fullcircle moment.

Tryouts commenced April 16. Twelve participated, with only two selected.

For Schaufele, the pressure mounted by the day. A life decision had been made. Despite his early fear of the mascot he now wanted to be, he wasn’t turning back.

“It’s kind of a deal where I was already invested at that point,” Schaufele said. “I knew that it was what I wanted to do and at that point, I wasn’t going to not do all I could to get that role. I know Bryce was the same way.”

On a summer evening in Gallagher-Iba Arena, it happened. Schaufele and Coon were informed of their victory in the hunt for OSU’s

Editorial board

Editor-in-Chief Luisa Clausen editorinchief@ocolly.com

Sports editor Braden Bush sports.ed@ocolly.com

Assistant Sports editor Ashton Slaughter sports.ed@ocolly.com

Design editor Ben Holieway design.ed@ocolly.com

Shortly thereafter, they departed GIA with their boots and spurs and Pistol Pete trading cards – just in case they came across a petrified adolescent in the same situation Schaufele once faced.

Nearly a month later was the induction, which both noted as a “humbling” experience.

Now, Coon and Schaufele enact the everyday duties that come with being Pistol Pete.

They ride around campus next to OSU’s hype man, Les Thomas, on his gator. They participate in the notorious OSU walk. They fire blanks from a shotgun at midfield of Boone Pickens Stadium, hyping up the Cowboy faithful on game days. All of it, they said, is more than they could have imagined.

But in the moment, it’s merely a blur. It isn’t until after that they stand adjacent to BPS, gazing upon the towering complex, realizing the sheer reality of a fulfilled college goal.

“Just sitting outside Boone Pickens Stadium, realizing, ‘Hey, I’m really Pistol Pete,’ it’s a feeling I can’t really describe,” Schaufele said. “In the moment, Bryce and I, we’re doing what we need to and don’t think much of it. But when you’re able to reflect on how we got there and just the reality of everything, it’s a pretty cool feeling.” news.ed@ocolly.com

News & Life editor Kennedy Thomason news.ed@ocolly.com

Assistant News & Life editor Bella Casey news.ed@ocolly.com

Photo editor Ethan Scott photo.ed@ocolly.com

Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

Where are the best eats on campus?

“Road Trip because I love macand-cheese, and theirs is great.” Road Trip Pizza & Mac, North Dining

“My favorite on-campus food is probably Passport because there is just a lot of varieties of things on the menu each week. It’s really good.” Passport, Student Union

“The Chop House. It’s a Mexican barbeque place. I would say that’s a good place when you just want some quick Mexican. Another good place would be the sandwich shop that’s in Kerr-Drummond. It’s good for those late-night ‘Oh darn, I didn’t eat, I need to eat’ everywhere else is closed, so I order a sandwich.”

Chop House Taqueria, Student Union The 405 Deli, Kerr Drummond

The O’Colly Staff

News & Lifestyle

reporters:

Addie Wagner

Ashton Miller

Cloe Campfield

Emi Norton

Hayden Alexander

Isaac Terry

Jake Sellers

Jaycee Hampton

Jessica Pearce

Lauren King

Michael Clark

Taylor Carroll

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

SURPLUS AUCTION

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Fifteen (15) semi loads of equipment

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Sports reporters: Photographers & Designers:

Alyssa Brandon

Baylor Bryant

Calif Poncy

Daniel Allen

Davis Cordova

Eric McLaurin

Gabriel Trevino

Gina Foster

Griff McClellan

Ivan White

Kenley Cordray

Kenzie Kraich

Parker Gerl

Payton Little

Savannah Chenoweth

Tessa Dorrell

Cassius Davis

Davis Cordova

Ethan Hilbert

Jaycee Hampton

Karlie Boothe

Kendall McGhee

Molly Jolliff

Michael Clark

Sam Beebe

Rebekah Cleary

Courtesy of OSU

Bryce Coon (left) and Caden Schaufele are Pistol Petes

Ben Holieway

Lilian Davis

Kareem Sawan

Cody Husong

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

POV: Cowboy Marching Band goes to Iowa State

As OSU’s football team prepared for the Iowa State game, OSU’s band did, too.

In a sea of Iowa State fans in Jack Trice Stadium last weekend, more than 50 musicians in OSU’s Cowboy March ing Band joined fans and athletes in support of the Cowboy football team over the course of a three-day trip.

Pep band trips are a highlight of the football season for many in the Cowboy Marching Band. The CMB usually sends pep bands to most inconference away games, but with many games more than 500 miles away this season, the Iowa State game was one of two regular-season travel opportunities for marching band students.

Senior flute player Jordan Kaehlert went to the Iowa State game two years ago and was eager to return for another trip.

“When I went to Iowa with the band two years ago, the fans were super nice,” Kaehlert said. “I feel like it’s a pretty relaxed and fun pep trip.”

The trips go a long way in building camaraderie within the band. When students spend most of their days traveling and sharing rooms with students they may not know, there is little choice but to get to know who they are traveling with.

“We only take two flutes on the trip,” Kaehlert said. “It forced me to step outside of my comfort zone more and talk to some members of the CMB that I hadn’t spoken to before the trip.”

The trip began on Friday morning, when 53 students and the assistant director of bands, Devan Moore, boarded an OSU-branded coach bus for the eight-hour journey to Des Moines, Iowa.

As with most things in marching band, even loading the bus was a mas-

terclass in organized chaos: A dedicated team of students ensured uniforms, luggage and instruments were stored in eat breakfast, get into full uniform and board the bus bound for Ames at 10 a.m. After another nearly hour-long drive, the CMB and OSU’s Spirit Squad arrived outside Jack Trice Stadium.

The students gathered for a music rehearsal to ensure the ensemble, about one-sixth the size of the full CMB, which could be heard throughout the stadium.

Kaehlert said the small size of the pep band requires personal accountability from each performer. When

game,” Hutton said. “It’s always fun to gather around and chat with people who have the same interests as you.”

The game was business as usual for the CMB. Students had to be ready to play any song in their repertoire after every play, often at the same time as the ISU marching band.

For roughly three hours, the CMB played stand tunes and fight songs for the athletes and OSU faithful in attendance. At the end of the game, the pep band played the alma mater before leaving the stadium and boarding the bus back to Des Moines.

The next day, students had to be packed and on the bus by 8 a.m. After a busy weekend of travel marked by late nights and eventful days, the bus was almost silent for the first few hours of the return trip. Although students spent the bus ride on Friday working or studying, most students on Sunday were largely committed to sleeping.

counterparts from the opposing schools.

After a lunch stop in Lawrence, Kansas, the CMB returned to Stillwater around 5 p.m. and unloaded their uniforms, instruments and luggage.

For as busy as the Iowa State trip was, it was only a sample of what awaits the CMB when all 300 students travel to Texas for the Houston game in late November.

perform at other game day events, some ISU marchers called out, “The band loves the band.”

Kaehlert said they enjoyed learning about the ISU marching band’s traditions. Ashlynn Hutton, a sophomore in the trumpet section, said she always looks forward to getting to know the other bands.

“They are so welcoming and supportive no matter the outcome of the

With seven buses, a much larger ensemble and a halftime performance to prepare for, each member of the CMB will have to push themselves to deliver the best performance for OSU fans and athletes they can. Despite the long bus rides and tiring weekends, students are proud of the opportunity to represent OSU across the country.

“Getting the opportunity to represent OSU is always an honor,” Hutton said. “It builds and grows relationships that you would have never imagined to have. We always have fun no matter if we win or lose.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Jessica Pearce

Members of the Cowboy Marching Band posed with OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum at the Iowa State football game.

Jessica Pearce Staff Reporter

Ben Holieway

Flyover...

Continued from 1A

Dana Friend, the other plane’s navigator, said she could not turn the opportunity down when her competitive flight team coach called.

Friend said she was selected because of her experience competing in the navigation event on the competitive flight team. She said the event emphasizes “time on target,” an integral component to the flyover.

In the weeks leading up, the team spent hours circling over Stillwater to perfect their timing and make sure they felt comfortable with the proximity of the two planes — flying just 25 feet apart.

Friend, who was in the aircraft in the rear, said she was also not able to see much of the stadium in the air.

“You’re not looking at your instruments, really, you are looking at the person in front of you, their wingtip and the wing root,” Friend said. “Your scan is just their wing the whole time.”

Friend said the proximity of the two planes is not something students usually practice and that staying in formation was a main emphasis of practice.

The team had to ensure they arrived as the fireworks burst over the stadium.

Although Dana is a senior and has been a member of the Flying Aggies since 2020, she said practicing for the flyover was a “nerve wracking” adjust-

ment. “Sometimes we get close to flying over campus, but definitely not as low as what we’re approved to fly at for the flyover,” Friend said. “So it was nervous and exciting because we got to do something outside of our normal training curriculum, outside of our normal practice areas.”

The flyover was also exciting for Friend’s stepdad, who was on the competitive flight team when he attended OSU.

“He was so excited,” Friend said.

Non-greek...

Continued from 1A

“The Homecoming parade is very inclusive and is for all demographics,” Blair said. “You will see numerous different types of organizations who represent different ethnicities, age, race, gender, etc.”

The Homecoming parade provides an entertaining experience for those watching or participating in the parade itself.

President of SUAB, Ashley Welch, said when she thinks of Homecoming, she thinks of Greek life.

“The committee in charge of Homecoming does everything that they can to make sure that everyone feels as involved in Homecoming as possible,” Welch said. “That being

said, I still think only about Greek life participating any time that I hear the word ‘Homecoming.’”

Cale Askew, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, said Homecoming does not include only member of Greek life.

“I don’t think Homecoming is really directed towards any demographic,” Askew said.

“Homecoming is all about past alumni coming back and enjoying the university they once called home.”

Students have endless opportunities to participate in Homecoming activities, win prizes or revel in the exciting atmosphere that is an OSU Homecoming.

“My favorite thing about Homecoming is seeing how the community comes together to really make the most of the season,” said Welch. “We really do have the title of ‘America’s Greatest Homecoming’ down to a tee, and I think that is fantastic.”

“He said, ‘OK, you’re on camera, don’t mess up.’”

As the first Flying Aggies to participate in a game day flyover, Ahlstrom and Friend helped pave the way for future partnerships.

Austin credited Chad Depperschmidt, school head of aviation and space, as the “driving force” behind making the flyover happen, as well as Jon Loffi, undergraduate program coordinator for aviation and space, and Lance Fortney, flight center program manager.

He said that though it is still warm outside for September, Oklahoma has had hotter falls in the past, and this heat isn’t recordbreaking. However, he did say it is considered above average by a few degrees.

El Niño has begun to set in, and is another factor in warmer weather. El Niño is a term and method of weather prediction which uses the water temperatures along the equator as a gauge of how wet or dry the climate will be every year across the world. This fall, the water near the equator was deter-

Austin said the organization is looking to make the flyover an annual event. “This was a very special moment because this was the first time where those pilots were actually OSU students,” Austin said. “So very, very cool thing to see. You know, considering all of OSU history of the play program that’s been around since the 1960s or ‘70s. We’ve never had this happen before.”

mined to be warmer than normal, which means wetter and cooler weather ahead.

Compared to last year, this fall will have more rain and be colder, because last season El Niño was the dominant weather pattern.

La Niña is the opposite and happens when the water temperatures around the equator are cooler. This makes fall warmer and drier instead. Lee said El Niño will affect temperatures and rainfall this year, but said it is hard to tell at the moment how strong it will be.

Student meteorologist, Dylan Strilko, who works at ABC 7 News, agreed with this.

“Technically, in meteorologist terms, Sept. 23 is the first day of fall,

although it may not feel like it because it’s been pretty hot here today,” Strilko said. “I think that trend is going to continue for a little while, especially for the rest of September and even to the beginning of October.”

Strilko said when fall truly arrives on campus, students will be able to tell. “You’ll start to see it on the tops of trees as the leaves will start to get a little more brown and might start to get an orange hue to it within the next month or two,” Strilko said. “Once the temperatures start getting colder, the foliage will follow. Trees will turn from green, to red, yellow, orange, or brown, then drop from branches altogether, and autumn will be back once again.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo

Non-greek students do not participate in creating house decs.

Courtesy of Dana Friend

Dana Friend, a senior Flying Aggies competition flight team member, was a navigator for the rear plane that flew over BPS.

Strilko,

OSU Rodeo Team

Riding through the fear

With a surgery that removed a disk from his neck and added screws, plates and a rod, JB Mauney, or “the dragonslayer,” announced his retirement from professional bull riding.

Mauney has been a prominent member of the bull riding community since winning rookie of the year in 2006 at 19. Now, at 36, Mauney announced his retirement after a fall in Lewiston, Idaho, left him with a broken neck.

Rodeo a physically demanding and dangerous sport. With the risk of injury always a possibility, the athletes need nerves of steel to keep up with their competitors.

For members of OSU’s Rodeo Team, the ever-present risk of injury comes with the territory.

“It’s just part of the sport,“ said OSU bull rider Morgan Merrill. “Every time you climb down on one, there’s that chance of getting hurt.”

Merrill, who started mutton bustin’ when he was 4 and then took on bull riding, is well aware of the risks associated with the sport. Like any other athlete in rodeo, the risks are well worth the reward for him.

“I would say if it was between taking the risk or working a normal job, I would much rather do what I love and take the risk,” Merrill said.

Although bull riding is a physically demanding sport, a huge portion of it is a mental battle. Constantly being put in dangerous situations without the guarantee of a win would take a toll on anyone’s emotions.

“You can go three or four weeks without staying

on one, you get to the point where you’re thinking ‘Why am I here? Why am I doing this?’” Merrill said. “Then the very next ride you stay on and you’re back on top of the world, it plays with your emotions a lot.”

Although the sport takes a physical and mental toll on athletes, members of OSU’s Rodeo Team said they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I will probably saddle my horse and ride until I physically cannot anymore, like a majority of people in this sport,” said goat tier and breakaway roper Carli Hawkins.

Not only does the love of the sport motivate athletes to keep going, so does their competitive drive. To keep doing such a difficult sport, there needs to be a desire to win present in almost anyone who tries to compete.

“We’re all such competitive people, we just want to continue bettering ourselves and just win,” Hawkins said.

“You have to push yourself, you have to be faster, better, stronger than everybody else out there to win.”

The possibility of winning outweighs any fears these athletes have when it comes to risky situations regarding the sport. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, they’re constantly focusing on what could go right.

OSU barrel racer Jada Trosper grew up in the western community, and never once has she thought about leaving. Trosper doesn’t blink an eye at the possible dangers because barrel racing is such an integral part of her life.

“Our day to day lives are full of danger,” Trosper said. “I am happiest when I am in the saddle, so I choose to accept the risks.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Fun facts about JB Mauney:

OSU Swim Club splashes back

The OSU Swim Club is back after a hiatus.

Shyanna Kuehn said swimming has been a part of her life for years. After swimming for Oklahoma Christian University during her freshman year of college, she decided to take a break from swimming before she transferred to OSU.

Now, she is the president of the Swim Club.

“I transferred here and I got a job on a USA club team here,” Kuehn said. “It was just coaching and I was like, man, we really need a pool. I was just advocating for the pool, not thinking up club swimming.”

Brodie Morris knew it was time for the Cowboys to get back in the pool.

Kuehn said Morris came to her saying he wanted to compete again, and they should bring back the club after its hiatus from the COVID-19 pandemic. He didn’t want to be president of the club, so he asked Kuehn to step into the role while he served as vice president.

“I was like, ‘Yeah, for sure,’” Kuehn said. “We need

to make this happen. It was pretty easy finding members from there, to be honest, because like I said, I’ve been advocating for swimming with USA Swim Club. I’ve already had some connections there, so I just had to reach out to swim parents. It’s a pretty small world, swimming is. Once I hit up all my connections, they were like, ‘We got you, we’ll spread the word,’ and we found 10 (members) easy. Now, I think we’re at 70 members.”

Brandon Harris, freshman, swam competitively in high school and played water polo, so when his friend told him about the Swim Club, he joined.

“Finding somebody else who’s interested in what you’re interested in is really helpful, especially as a freshman, because I came here not knowing anybody from St. Louis,” Harris said. “To have the Swim Club to meet new friends is really cool just because I have something in common with other people.”

The club hosted a potluck dinner at the beginning of the semester and hopes to plan more activities outside of practices.

“Every time we’re here at practice, everyone’s super

friendly,” Jack Wolf, fitness coordinator for the club said. “We’re all getting to know each other really well so we’re trying to transition to see if we can do stuff more outside the club and it’s starting to work.”

The Swim Club is open to any student for a chance to improve their swimming skills, compete or meet new people. All faculty and staff members are eligible to join as an associate member.

Club fees are $15 per month for a September-February season. Practices are offered year-round and competition during the season is optional. Meets will be held locally and out of state.

Oct. 4 is the last day to join for the season. Because of the closing of the Colvin Indoor Pool, practices are held at the Stillwater YMCA.

A swim clinic is planned for Oct. 21 at the Stillwater YMCA. The age range is 6 years old to adults. More details will be posted on Instagram and Facebook.

The first meet of the season is on Nov. 10 vs. OU at the Stillwater YMCA.

Practices will not be held during holidays, dead week or finals week. To join, email skuehn@okstate.edu.

Jaycee Hampton

Shyanna Kuehn (right), the president of the OSU Swim Club, is leading the charge in re-establishing a team.

Ashton Miller Staff Reporter

Courtesy of Dale Hirschman Morgan Merrill started mutton bustin’

rides bulls.

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Jaycee Hampton

The OSU swim club has returned, with members enthusiastic to rebuild the club’s numbers.

Director of Stillwater Regional Airport shares insights into job

Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief

Q: What does a day in your life look like?

Kellie Reed is taking the Stillwater Airport to new heights.

In July, Reed was hired as the Stillwater Airport director. She shared with The O’Colly her goals as the director, the challenges of being in a leadership position and what a day in her shoes looks like. Reed was born in Ventura, California, and chose OSU to get her diploma in aviation sciences because of the high quality of the school’s aviation program.

Q: How was the transition into the job? Was it overwhelming or did it feel natural?

A: “It definitely felt natural. The city has an outstanding leadership team and the airport staff that we have are phenomenal. They love their job, they’re committed, they’re intelligent, they put their heart out there and they do a great job. So I have an incredible team and we also have a pretty great leadership within the city as well. It’s felt like a great fit. It’s been very busy. We’re designing a new terminal that we’re building. We’re going to break ground next year and open it in 2026 figure terminal for air service. That’s the reason we are very busy with that and a lot of other projects going on in the airport but there is a lot of work to catch up on.”

A: “My days are busy. I have two small kids, so I start my day getting them to school. Mondays are always pretty busy trying to catch up from the last week and see what’s going on over the weekend. The airport is open 24/7, operations don’t stop. Today (Sept. 11) is a good example. I go to the city council after work. Sometimes we work late at night. Sometimes we work weekends if we have special events. If we have an emergency then we’re responding to that but I love the dynamic of working in airports because you never know what you’re going to do in a day. Sometimes we have aircraft accidents that we respond to and provide unified command for that. But on a day to day I might be in meetings with City Council or the city manager, working with our tenants, working on airport development, helping design and helping our consultants design and get the specifics nailed down on the terminal development. So every day is vastly different. We have a lot of networking and also regional partners with other airports and the aeronautics commission.”

with their rules and regulations. And then conversely to the TSA for airport security. So because we’re a commercial service airport, we fall under both regulatory bodies, so it dictates what we do as a commercial service airport. But we also provide general aviation flights and flight training and corporate clients and business flights. And the military comes in from time to time. So we get a little bit of everything.”

Q: What should The O’Colly readers know about the airport?

A: “We just celebrated seven years of air service with American Airlines. We have two flights a day to Dallas. They can fly from here to the second largest airport in the country. So that’s a pretty phenomenal support to have right here in Stillwater. It’s amazing. There’s two departures and two arrivals daily. We have free parking and it’s easy and convenient. It’s incredibly easy to just walk in. The security has very short lines, you get right in and jump on the plane.”

Q: What are some of your goals as the director?

The 5 largest airports in the U.S.

1- Denver International Airport, Colorado.

2- Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport, Texas.

3- Orlando International Airport, Florida.

4- Washington International Airport, Washington, D.C.

5- George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas.

Q: What is the logistics behind your work? Are you in direct contact with the City of Stillwater? Who are the people behind you helping you keep this thing going?

A: “Absolutely. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Stillwater. So we’re a part of its staff. We report directly to the FAA for all airport safety regulations. And we’re required to comply

A: “One of my goals is definitely to broaden the organizational team at the airport. Before I started, they developed an operations manager position to take a lot more of the leadership ability and help have more of a management team instead of just the airport director in the leadership role. That was really important to me. We have several staff that are excited about leadership and excited to share what we do and help educate so we’re looking forward to opportunities with OSU or potentially bringing in interns. So just the airport and expanding the ability to get training and get experience and collaborate more with our local airport partners in the region. And then the terminal was very

exciting. So is my project to get in terminal and open it so that’s a phenomenal experience.”

Q: For people thinking about following the same path as you, what is some advice you would give them?

A: “Some of the things I learned early on was something my original mentor said, ‘Right time, right place, right qualification but specifically, right attitude.’ To have the attitude of ‘Yes, I want to support that.’ If somebody is looking for support on a project or extra help or extra hands jump in and

volunteer, and that has led me to numerous jobs and numerous additional duties that weren’t in my job, and that’s helped leading to supervisory roles. And leadership positions and growing within airports and moving on. So networking is huge in aviation and in all industries. Aviation feels like a family. I’ve never had a bad experience when I said yes and jumped outside of my comfort zone and jumped in to experience something new.”

Courtesy of Kellie Reed Reed advises aviation students to network and jump outside of their comfort zone to experience something new.

OSU Theatre achieves ‘Airness’

of these different lives and showcasing all these different moments of human interaction with people is where I’m most me.”

cause the way he explains his methods you can see that he wants the best out of us and this is what he wants. It just feels very personable.”

Theatre cast and crew members at OSU achieved ‘Airness’ last weekend.

Four performances took place at the Vivia Nail Locke Theatre. Student actors and crew members worked diligently to put on an energetic, empowering, music-filled, audience-inclusive show.

From the beginning, Katigan Barksdale took the stage with a grip on air guitar, while portraying his persona “D Vicious.”

The audience participation revealed itself to be a rock show crowd, and Barksdale had no problem amping up the audience. He said he was looking forward to the audience experiencing how “awesome” the air guitar is.

“Theatre has always been a place that I felt most comfortable,” Barksdale said. “I remember telling somebody that being able to express, creating all

Not only was Barksdale an energetic force on stage, but his castmates also brought the thunder.

Jayvion Frazier portrayed Golden Thunder with charisma and energy. From costumes that fit each character’s persona to a gorgeous stage design, Matthew Smith (director) was able to pull these students together and create something that is not only entertaining, but inspiring.

Dylan Grubb took on the role of Facebender, a down-to-earth man who wears his heart on his sleeve. Stepping into such a role has its moments, but with great guidance comes great portrayals.

“Having (Smith) guidance has been very helpful, especially with how he explained certain aspects of scene work,” Grubb said. “It’s not common for what I’ve known by past directors, be -

The show focused on guiding The Nina (Zoie Kiddy) through the trials of ‘Airness’, and delivered a message on empowering women, encouraging them to take the stage and let loose. Ashlyn Leonard, Cannibal Queen, took that stance and amplified its importance through her stage presence.

“It really feels like home,” Leonard said. “Not not all casts are the same. Not all theatre departments are the same, but this one really does feel like home.”

Being able to articulate words in live theatre is necessary and vital for a performance. Aiden Bosworth took on four roles as the announcer, bartender, the sprite executive and the hooded figure. He was able to project his voice clearly over music and loud audience participation, which made for an impressive stage presence.

The same goes for Mason Zweiacker. He said that on stage is where he is happiest, and he found pieces of himself inside his character, Shreddy Eddy, which is a similar feeling to his fellow cast members. It was obvious on stage that there was unmatched chemistry among the cast, and every member behind the scenes of production wanted to be there and was happy to do it.

“I think theater is something really, really special,” Zweiacker said. “Because a cast is able to form a connection with an audience and we’re able to tell stories. Sometimes the stories can be silly, goofy and fun, like ‘Airness.’ Other times those stories can really touch on issues that people might be facing, whether it’s in their personal lives, issues of violence, whatever. I think it’s really powerful to see that human experience and to know that you’re really not alone when you’re going through these things.”

Courtesy of OSU

‘Airness’ delivered a message about empowering women, encouraging them to take the stage and let loose.

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

TV, movies: Fall keeps it coming

Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

It’s been a big year for movies and shows.

“Barbie” is breaking box office records, and “Oppenheimer” is proving nonfranchise films deserve their moment in the spotlight.

Dave Filoni’s “Ahsoka” series is single-handedly saving “Star Wars” and Disney+, “One Piece” is quickly becoming one of Netflix’s best projects, and “The Last of Us” is bridging the gap between live-action and video games.

It’s been a good year, but it isn’t over yet. Here are a few movies and shows to be on the lookout for in 2023:

Loki Season 2

Season 1 of “Loki” ranks highly among the pantheon of Marvel shows in recent years, with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.2/10 on IMDB. The show follows the adventures of the infamous Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, as he traverses space and time while the Time Variance Authority is in hot pursuit.

Season 2 promises a journey on a much grander scale, with Loki and Mobius M. Mobius, played by Owen Wilson, searching for Sylvie, played by Sophie Di Martino, and Ravonna Renslayer, played by Gugu Mbatha Raw, and Miss Minutes across the multiverse.

Release Date: October 5th on Disney+

The Crown

After five seasons, “The Crown,” is ending its reign. The Netflix series catalogs the royal family’s lives during Queen Elizabeth II’s rule. The show is known for its dramatized take on the fantastical and not-so-

popular history of the U.K.’s beloved monarch.

The sixth season will be the final season following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The season will cover the mid-90s through the early 2000s, including Princess Diana’s death in 1997 and the beginnings of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s relationship.

Release Date: Fall 2023 on Netflix

Invincible Season 2

The long-awaited second season of “Invincible” is finally here. After the first season hit Amazon Prime in 2021, the R-rated animated series proved animation is not just for kids.

Release Date: Oct. 12 on Paramount+

The Creator From the director of Rogue One, “The Creator” is a sci-fi thriller that imagines a war in the future between AI and the human race. Special Agent Joshua seeks a weapon to end the war potentially, but it’s not what he expects.

Release Date: Sept. 29

Saw X & The Exorcist: Believer

If horror is your thing, check out these two back-toback scary movies that will have you hiding behind your popcorn. “Saw X” is the tenth movie in the series and promises even more bloody traps, and “The Exorcist: Believer” picks up after the 1973 original, ignoring the other four films.

Release Date: “Saw X” on Sept. 29 & “The Exorcist: Believer” on Oct. 6

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

M&Ms)

The show follows Mark Grayson, played by Steven Yeun, a new superhero who grapples with maintaining an everyday life and impressing his famous superhero dad, Omni-Man. “Invincible” is a fresh take on superheroes with a rating that allows it to explore heavier topics.

Re -

lease Date: Nov. 3 on Amazon Prime

The Continental

Hopefully, you’ve brushed up on your international assassin manners for “The Continental,” a prequel mini-series to the “John Wick” franchise. The show tells the backstory of the man himself, Winston Scott, played by Colin Woodell, the keeper of the famous Continental Hotel in New York City.

Release Date: Sept. 29 on Peacock

Frasier

Everyone’s favorite psychiatrist is back, and he’s moving to Boston. The “Fraiser” reboot follows Frasier Crane as he takes on the next phase of life and tries to reconnect with his son.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is making its way into theaters for fans who can’t attend the live concerts.

That’s right, Swifties; after you have finished dissecting every inch of footage of Swift’s and Travis Kelce’s latest interaction, head to the movies to watch the best moments of her concert.

Release Date: Oct. 13

Killers of The Flower Moon

This movie is a mustwatch for Oklahomans. Most of us read “Killers of the Flower Moon” for school, but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it.

Martin Scorsese’s take on “Killers of the Flower Moon” brings the historical events of the 1920s Osage Murders to the big screen and the forefront of history. Not only is the movie about Oklahoma, Scorsese shot the film in Oklahoma.

Release Date: Oct. 20

Priscilla

Last year, we got “Elvis,” and this year, we’re getting a

sneak peek into the life of Priscilla Presley, played by Caliee Spaney, in Sofia Coppola’s new feature film.

Release: Nov. 3

The Marvels

Next up in Marvel’s neverending line-up is “The Marvels,” which will follow Captain Marvel, played by Brie Larson, Ms.Marvel, played by Iman Vellani, and Monica Rambeau. The three must work together to save the universe but with a catch: their powers.

Release Date: Nov. 10

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes It’s time to take a time machine back to the 2010s for some good old-fashioned Hunger Games. “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is a movie adaptation of the prequel novel that reveals Coriolanus Snow’s

(Tom Blyth) past.

Release Date: Nov. 17

Release: Nov. 22

The Boy and the Heron “The Boy and the Heron” will be the last movie from Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki. The film is about a young boy who travels to another world dealing with loss.

Release Date: Dec. 8

Wonka

Willy Wonka is back, and this time, it’s Timothy Chalamet. The movie explores the origin of the famous chocolatier and his first run-in with the Ommpa Loompas.

Release: Dec. 15

The Color Purple

Based on the awardwinning novel by Alice Walker, “The Color Purple” is a new retelling of the 1985 perioddrama novel on the big screen.

Release Date: Dec. 25

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Tribune Content Agency

Kelsey Grammer is returning as Frasier Crane this fall in “Frasier” on Paramount+.

Marcus Smart stood in front of herds of Oklahoma State fans.

All three floors of the Student Union were flooded. Standing room only. Two popular teammates, Markel Brown and Le’Bryan Nash, along with then-OSU basketball coach Travis Ford, flanked Smart as he glanced.

A podium and microphone had been set up for Smart to make an important announcement.

Smart, an All-American during his first season with the Cowboys (2013-14),

delivered the news he’d return for his sophomore year, foregoing a jump to the NBA.

The moment Smart uttered the words, “looks like I’m coming back for my sophomore year,” a deafening roar came from the attendants. Smart was that “it” guy. The kind of athlete who lives in legend throughout OSU’s history.

So, who is “it” now? Who’s got the star power to walk into Eskimo Joe’s as the student-athlete face of the program and spin heads on a swivel? Not a coach, but an athlete.

That post — the position of Face of the Program — seems to sit vacant.

Could have been Spencer Sanders, if he hadn’t transferred after last football season. Could have been A.J. Ferrari, if not for legal issues.

“A lack of star power,” said Josiah Heflin, a sophomore student at OSU. “I

don’t… I mean I can’t think of a guy that gets that much attention. There’s no super athletes like Chuba Hubbard or Tylan Wallace. No guys like that.”

A lack of star power creates layers of potential problems for OSU athletics, just as Big 12 Conference superiority stands there for the taking with Oklahoma and Texas on their way to the SEC.

Problems attracting prime-time TV slots, with momentum for anyone seeking sizzle for their NIL dollars. Problems recruiting, since star players are drawn to programs presenting stars. Problems selling tickets.

OSU hasn’t often gone so faceless.

Football has rolled out stars for decades. Fenimore, Armstrong, Miller and Corker. Dokes, O’Neal, Sanders, Thomas and Dykes. Okung, Bryant, Weeden, Blackmon, Rudolph and Washington. Wallace and Hubbard.

Same for basketball, with Kurland,

Combs, Houston, Dumas, “Big Country,” Rutherford, Allen, Mason, Smart and Cunningham. Coffey, Brown, Jordan, Crow, Riley, Martin, Bias. Among others.

The Smiths, Fujita, Wilson, Blubaugh, Monday, Cross, Schultz, Dieringer, Jackson and Hendricks, among others on the mat.

Soergel and Inky and Ventura and Fariss and Heaney from the baseball diamond.

Smith, Shippy, Show and Maxwell from softball.

And more from across the sports, like Fowler, Verplank, Tway, Wood, Hovland and Wolff; Lindberg and Stark; Odenyo and Franch; McNeil; Dial and many others.

That’s not a complete list, yet it’s a laundry list of male and female athletes who needed few introductions.

See Face on 7B

The bye week always arrives at a good time for football teams no matter when it is, but for Oklahoma State, it’s more needed than ever.

The Cowboys are coming off a 33-7 loss at home to South Alabama (who then went and lost to Central Michigan at home) and a 34-27 loss at Iowa State, which had the worst offense in the Big 12 heading into that game.

While OSU coach Mike Gundy said

there are not major problems with his team, there are many areas it is clear the Cowboys can improve on.

Here are five suggestions OSU should take during its extra week of work:

Find a No. 1... everything

The quarterback battle needs to end.

Alan Bowman was much better vs Iowa State than he was in the previous three games when he split reps. But I, and Gundy, still are not sure if Bowman is the starter. Find who works best and roll with him for the next eight games. The receivers also need to compete to be the top-dog. Where has Brennan Presley been in the Cowboys’ offense the past two games? De’Zhaun Stribling has shown flashes and could be an easy first option. He, or other receivers like Jaden Bray or Talyn Shettron.

It was August, the season had just begun, and Chloé Joseph was already struggling.

Not with the differences between the style of soccer in the U.S. and Canada, her home country, and not with the uptick in competition in Division-I soccer as a freshman defender at OSU.

It was the heat.

In her hometown of Montreal, 1,548 miles away, her parents were enjoying a refreshing day in the high 70s. Chloe, though, was experiencing a seventh straight 100-degree day. Something unheard of back in Montreal.

Despite the scalding heat, Joseph pushed forward, because stopping wasn’t going to help her achieve her lifelong dream of playing soccer professionally in Europe. Many Canadian athletes seek out opportunities to earn scholarships to schools in America, and Joseph was no different.

Even if it meant Oklahoma heat.

With host goal achieved, OSU tennis has opportunity

way that we can help support the university and the community.”

Hovland strolls into Ryder Cup with ‘superstar’ status

Viktor Hovland had such a successful ending to the PGA season that he’s getting his own putter manufactured. PING will make a set of 100 specialized putters set to Hovland’s standards – a perk that comes with the way he played in 2023.

Hovland, a former OSU golfer, won the final two tournaments of the PGA season, including the Tour championship. He also set a record for earnings in a season with more than $32 million. This weekend, Hovland is representing Team Europe in the 2023 Ryder Cup, which begins Friday.

The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf match between a team of United States golfers against a team of European golfers. The cup alternates hosting sites from Europe to the States each Ryder Cup, with Rome, Italy, hosting this year’s competition. It’s a competition between players who take pride in competing for their countries.

Hovland, Norway’s first Ryder Cup representative, exploded onto the PGA scene this season. OSU golf legend Scott Verplank spoke about Hovland and how he will cheer him on even though he’s on the other side of the heated rivalry.

“I hope he goes 5-0,” Verplank said on The 73rd Hole Podcast. “He’s such a great young guy. Such a nice guy, and if he goes 5-0 and we (U.S.) win, or we tie and retain the cup or we win by one point, that would be great. Viktor is part of the Oklahoma State golf family, so he’s kinda family, and I don’t know, what do you pick first? Your family or your country?”

Verplank, who competed in the 2002

and 2006 Ryder Cups, said Hovland is the next great player in golf.

“I think he’s a superstar,” Verplank said. “He’s so good. I’ve played with him a couple times in the last month and I’m in awe of how solid he hits the ball. He’ll have a great attitude and he’ll end up being a leader for the Europeans in the Ryder Cup for the next 15-20 years and we should all be happy about that because he’s such a great person and golfer. He’s a true role model. I hope we (United States) win, but Viktor does great.”

He will compete against former OSU golfer Rickie Fowler, who is making his fifth Ryder Cup appearance for the Americans. The U.S. team won in 2021, but it looks to win the Ryder Cup in Europe for the first time in 30 years.

Fowler said it’s been fun to watch Hovland’s rapid rise to top five in the world rankings and that Hovland is part of the OSU family. But it’s gonna be all business on the course with pride on the line.

“I know we’re all gonna leave it out there,” Fowler said. “You can’t guarantee anything, but we’re gonna give it a shot.”

Hovland competed in the 2021 Ryder Cup and finished 0-3-2 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Hovland has reason to believe the team across the big pond has a good chance of winning the Ryder Cup this weekend.

“I think Team Europe has a slight chip on our shoulders, but at the same time we’re playing at home, and I saw a stat the other day that said we have not lost at home since 1993,” Hovland said on The 73rd Hole Podcast. “(2021) was an unbelievably stressful situation to be in because it feels like every single shot you hit is life or death.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Hovland’s Hot Year

- Won TOUR Championship by five strokes

- Won BMW Championship with a career-low 61 final round

- Won the Memorial Championship

- In Majors, Hovland finished T-2, T-7, T-13 and 19th place

- Didn’t miss a cut in all 23 events played

- Won more than $32 million, a PGA Tour record

After hosting the Big 12 Championship in April for the first time since 2016, the Oklahoma State women’s tennis team is getting another big event. The big event.

OSU will host the 2024 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships this spring.

The 50,000-square-foot Greenwood Tennis Center was completed in 2014, and using it to build the program and host Big 12 and NCAA Championships was the goal all along.

“I think that’s why we built this tennis center,” said OSU women’s tennis coach Chris Young, “to enhance the community and really do something for the tennis program. It’s kind of our gift or the

Although all eyes will be on OSU this season to make the championships in its own town, the dynamic the experienced teams have is helping them prepare for the fight that lies ahead.

“The schedule is gonna be really tough,” said graduate student Kristina Novak. “Everybody wants to come here and feel how it is in Stillwater, but we’re excited for that. It’s gonna be hard, but we’re gonna get it done.”

The site for the first two rounds of the tournament is TBD and will depend on the top 16 teams. The Super Regional will consist of the final 16 teams, and the host of those matchups determined through rankings.

Once the number dwindles down to eight,

all of the excitement will be right here at OSU. They will be hosting the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

“You really need to be top eight to guarantee yourself, so that’ll be the goal for us this year,” Young said. “It would be great to be top eight and play all the way through.”

The NCAA has already come to Stillwater to do a site visit to ensure the right areas of the center were showcased correctly. They are mainly working with the athletic department, allowing coach Young and his players to focus on playing.

“Some people will just see this as pressure, some people see it as an opportunity,” said coach Young. “I think that’s how we frame it to the team.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Fix...

Continued from 1B

And it doesn’t even need to be a Tylan Wallace or James Washington-type No. 1. But a consistent, Tay Martin-esque receiver could pay dividends for the offense.

Forget the tight ends

So far this season, OSU tight ends have six catches. That’s just 5% of all catches for the Cowboys. When they’re not the best blockers or pass catchers, why are they on the field? Go super spread. Four receivers wide, which will also give them more opportunities to make a name for themselves as the No. 1 option.

OSU hasn’t run nearly as much under-center as Gundy suggested before the season started. If the Cowboys aren’t making an effort to do so, send a separator on the field to spur the passing game into being

more dynamic. Make the offensive line do some agility training

For the most part, especially after moving Dalton Cooper back to his more natural left tackle position, the offensive line was better in pass protection against Iowa State than in previous games. But where the unit continues to struggle is run blocking. Get the offensive line to move more. Call more zone run schemes to get Ollie Gordon and Jaden Nixon into space. Both have been clocked at running more than 20 mph by Reel Analytics, so getting those two into the open field can create explosive run plays.

Calling runs up the middle won’t do that.

Tackle. Why not?

OSU leads the Big 12 with 56 missed tackles through four weeks. The Cowboys aren’t the only team that doesn’t tackle during practices, but other teams, such as Alabama, are much better.

OSU doesn’t have the talent

other schools do, either. So, to not become rustier at tackling than they already are, the Cowboys should go to the ground; at least more than usual.

Still use tackle dummies and props, but there’s nothing comparable to hitting another person. Injuries could be worrisome, but with this Cowboys squad, they could take the risk and make their players better.

Be brave, be bold

For the first time in a long time, OSU will likely play the rest of its season as an underdog. So act like it.

Want the ball first after winning a coin toss. Go for some onside kicks. Design trick plays on kickoff return and offense. Go for two-point conversions. If OSU is playing in a close game, the Cowboys need to want to win it, not be OK with it going into overtime.

The Big 12 is an OK conference through four weeks, and if OSU has a chance to not be bad in a mediocre conference, it needs to do so.

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Courtesy OSU Cowboy Golf on X (Twitter)

Viktor Hovland played at OSU from 2016-19 and helped OSU win the NCAA Championship in 2018.

Gina Foster Staff Reporter

File Photo OSU built the Greenwood Tennis Center nearly a decade ago with the goal of one day hosting the NCAA Championships. Now, that dream is a reality.

Small to ‘quarterback’ teammates who drew him to OSU

Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

When Javon Small put his name into the portal, he had a number of high-level programs interested.

He took visits, talked with coaches and went through recruitment again. He narrowed his options down before picking Mike Boynton and OSU.

Of course, Boynton was vital in bringing Small to Stillwater. But the guys he’d share the court with drew him in.

“I seen the players that were coming in and already here, felt like I could fit in perfectly fine,” Small said.

OSU brought in centerpieces Brandon Garrison – a McDonald’s All-American – and four-star recruit Eric Dailey Jr. They retained Bryce Thompson and John-Michael Wright. But they were missing an organizer. Enter, Small.

Small was coming off a year in which he averaged 5.6 assists a game before suffering a season-ending injury. He knew he had options, but when he thought about the fit amongst potential suitors, he knew there was an opportu-

nity to help put things together at OSU.

“My role is to be a leader,” Small said. “And then just basically the quarterback of the team. I can go score whenever I want to, but my first job is to win and get my teammates involved.

“I feel like my passion for playmaking (for teammates) has always been top tier.” Boynton had a couple of different things he wanted to address in the offseason. He wanted to add depth at the big spots and improve the team’s 3-point shooting.

The day after an NIT loss to North Texas, playmaking was the first thing Boynton said needed to be improved. It’s why he wanted to bring in Small and hand him the keys at the point.

“First off, (Boynton) said he wanted me to be the point guard of the team,” Small said. “He wants the ball in my hands. He wants me to make plays. He’s basically put me in a position that I need to be put in to succeed.”

The group of new players – aside from Garrison and Dailey Jr. − include 7-footer Isaiah Miranda, known for his dynamic athleticism, Justin McBride, Jamyron Keller, sharpshooters in Con-

nor Dow and Jarius Hicklen and big man Mike Marsh.

Small has since gotten the chance to get on the court with these guys, and he’s already learning everyone’s strengths and playstyles.

“(Isaiah) is a lob threat, so when his man steps over I can throw the ball

to him and he’ll dunk it,” Small said. “Connor can sit in the corner, and when his man steps over, that’s an easy kick for a knockdown. Everybody on the team has a job on the team and my job is to get my teammates involved.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Basketball Schedule Breakdowns

Colorado, Ohio State highlight Cowgirls’ schedule Cowboys face stretch against best of conference

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Upset alert:

In OSU coach Jacie Hoyt’s first season the Cowgirls went 10-2 in non conference games, but dropped a weird one.

The Kent State Flashes showed up on a Sunday and upset the Cowgirls 5956 in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The game was before the team went to Cancun to play a few games on the beach.

Maybe it was a trap game, maybe not, but the Cowgirls travel to The Bahamas this Thanskgiving break to play big-time opponent Ohio State.

Could the few games before the trip be a trap too? Only time will tell.

SIUE and New Orleans could be upsets, but don’t expect it.

The Colorado road game seems to be evenly matched, so it wouldn’t be an upset if the Cowgirls lose in Boulder.

Toughest stretch:

It’s difficult for a team to avoid a tough stretch in the Big 12.

For OSU this season, the Cowgirls will have a four-game stretch where they play Baylor at home, travel to defending Big 12 champion Iowa State,

host OU and travle up to the Little Apple to battle Kansas State.

The four teams are possible contenders for the conference crown this season and a stretch like that could come down and define conference seedings in March.

Last season, the Cowgirls faced a similar stretch when they dropped games on the road to ISU, Texas and OU but won at home vs. Kansas State.

Biggest opportunity:

OSU could make a big statement in The Bahamas vs. a top-team.

Ohio State was one of the country’s best teams last season, earning a No. 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament and making its way to the Elite Eight.

The Cowgirls first play Penn State in The Bahamas two days prior, but if they look good in their game vs. the Nittany Lions, then the challenge against ESPN’s way-too-early No. 6 Buckeyes will be a big chance to make a mark.

The Cowgirls made the most of their biggest opportunity last season when they put the conference on notice and defeated Texas, Baylor and TCU in a row that jump started their season.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

Upset alert:

For the past two men’s basketball seasons, OSU has lost the second home game of the season to a mediocre midmajor. In 2021 it lost to Oakland and last year to Southern Illinois, both by one. This year, the Cowboys’ first two home games are against Abilene Christian and Sam Houston — the latter a team they’ve blown out in the past.

Where OSU could find itself in trouble, though, is back-to-back games against Creighton and Southern Illinois.

Last year, Creighton, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament and lost to eventual national runner-up San Diego State by one point. The Cowboys have struggled in three of the previous four Big 12-Big East battle matchups, losing to UConn, Xavier and Georgetown.

After being upset by Oakland at home in ‘21, the Cowboys traveled to their place in ‘22 and won handedly. The same could be for Southern Illinois, but you never know.

Toughest stretch:

The Big 12 became even better with the addition of Houston, Cincinnati, BYU and UCF, but a more than month-

long stretch vs mostly familiar foes will still cause a problem.

OSU opens the Big 12 schedule in Gallagher-Iba Arena vs Baylor. The Cowboys haven’t won at home vs the Bears since 2015. The Cowboys will then go to Texas Tech, at Iowa State vs Kansas, at Kansas State, vs TCU, vs West Virginia, at Kansas, vs Kansas State, at Houston and at Oklahoma.

On the road against Texas Tech and Iowa State are tough matchups for any team, then facing both Kansas schools twice, West Virginia and TCU who are never bad teams, at Houston who was a top-5 team for most of the season last year, and ending the stretch with Bedlam will be a gauntlet.

Biggest opportunity:

The Big 12 is usually decided at the end of February right before the conference tournament begins in March. In the past, this was make-it-or-break-it for OSU. If the Cowboys could claw tough wins at the end of the year against a ranked opponent or two, it would set them up for a better tournament seed and chances of making the NCAA Tournament.

That hasn’t happened, though.

But, this year, with a matchup at Texas in the Moody Center and vs Texas Tech in GIA, wins could be all OSU needs to lock up a late tournament bid. 2023-24 Cowboy Basketball Schedule

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Ethan Scott

Javon Small said Mike Boynton has put him in a position to succeed as OSU’s point guard.

Gajewski looking forward to fall after summer coaching, roster changes

Ashton Slaughter Asst. Sports Editor

This offseason pushed OSU softball coach Kenny Gajewski’s limits. Eleven new players — eight of whom are freshmen — staff changes and Kelly Maxwell transferring to the dominant program an hour down the road were all unexpected changes for Gajewski, heading into his ninth season at the helm of the Cowgirl program.

“I’m actually a person that likes change, but this much has been more than I kinda wanted to think

“There’s a company here that helps out with Canadian students with the possibility of getting a scholarship in the U.S.,” said Philippe Joseph, Chloe’s father. “They made a highlight video of Chloé from her past games at the level she was playing at, some of the coaches saw, reached out to her.”

Joseph had interest from several schools around the nation but chose OSU, worlds away from her home in Montreal.

“The first time I visited, I really liked it,” Joseph said. “I’m from a big city, so I thought I would want to go to a college in a big city, too, but when I came here, the fact it was still a new campus, a big campus, that made me want to come here.”

With that decision, Joseph packed up and moved into a different culture, and her parents were forced to watch her embark on a journey from a distance.

“Well, it’s far,”

through,” Gajewski said. The star-studded 2023 recruiting class, featuring pitcher Katie Kutz, infielder Karli Godwin and outfielder Tia Warsop, among others, was a given to join OSU’s roster heading into the offseason.

What wasn’t a given was John Bargfeldt, former pitching coach, retiring after four seasons with OSU. So, enter Carrie Eberle, former Cowgirl pitcher, who Gajewski poached from Lipscomb University’s staff, to replace him.

Then Maxwell’s exit to OU. The most stunning

Philippe said.

“It was always about her. We always saw ourselves as supporters,” said Georgie Lubin, Joseph’s mother. “She said she was going to pick up this one and we went, ‘Whatever is best for you.’ Of course, it’s far, but it’s about her.”

Despite the jarring change in location, culture and climate, Joseph faced a larger adjustment a few months before coming to OSU. Joseph represented Haiti in the 2022 U20 CONCACAF games, where she helped Haiti to the quarterfinals.

Although her time in CONCACAF prepared her for Oklahoma heat, the most important takeaway for Joseph during her time with team Haiti came off the field.

Haiti was going through flooding and landslides, leaving the country in a state of disaster. For the first time in her young career, Joseph was playing for more than herself. She was playing for people.

“To play for a country, it’s really different, especially Haiti. You feel like you have to play for more than yourself because you’re representing a whole lot of other

change. While going through the hiring process to find a new pitching coach, Gajewski was aware bringing in Eberle may result in Maxwell’s departure. But he had to do what was best for his program in the long term, not the short term.

“I knew it could happen,” Gajewski said. I could’ve probably asked her, ‘Hey, who do you want me to hire?’ And if I had hired them, she would have stayed. But I don’t know she’s in a position to tell me that. She’s still a young kid. So I’m gonna do what I think is best,

people,” Joseph said. “Also, you want to do good just to make them feel good, knowing that they are not in the best situation.”

Joseph’s contributions to Haiti mean even more because of Lubin’s Haitian descent.

“To me, to know she has that passport, she’s the only one from this big family to have a Haitian passport, we put it somewhere special,” Lubin said. “It was more about her being there, it was about her representing something we love.

Joseph’s career has already taken her all over the world, and if she continues on her current trajectory, she will be seeing plenty more places before her career is finished.

“It’s no surprise to us, I think the only thing we feel is we miss her,” Lubin said. “We know how hard she works, and we know her dream, I think the only thing I can say is we’re proud and we are not surprised.”

even if it meant her deciding to leave.”

All change aside, Gajewski is looking ahead, not in the past. Freshman players such as Kutz, Godwin and Warsop, along with transfers Caroline Wang and Jilyen Poullard, were rattled off as potential difference-makers on this year’s squad.

After a summer of change, a satisfying, new season is here.

“Obviously a lot of change around here,” Gajewski said. “Now that we’re in it, it’s turning into one of our most enjoyable falls to this point.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

OSU men’s basketball adds nine players

Jarius Hicklen transferred from North Florida with 250 made 3-pointers and more than 1,300 points scored. In most cases where a guy is that capable from outside, he’s given what’s called the ‘green light.’

But coach Mike Boynton has given Hicklen an even brighter light.

“He’s given me that neon light,” Hicklen said. “I can do anything I want from the 3-point line and beyond. It’s been amazing.”

Poor 3-point shooting has plagued the Cowboys for a number of years, and Boynton put an emphasis on addressing it in the offseason. Hicklen was brought in to add depth at the guard spot, but primarily to help the shooting crisis.

Having what he called the ‘neon light,’ OSU is going to rely on Hicklen to turn its 3-point making ability around.

“Yeah, there’s no question about it. (Shooting) has been a big (issue) for our teams the last three years even,” Boynton said. “We’ll look a lot different from a shooting standpoint, and obviously Jarius will be a big part of that with his experience having played so many college basketball games.”

A reshape felt necessary Boynton had built a team around the likes of Avery Anderson III,

Moussa Cisse, Kalib Boone, Bryce Thompson and others for a couple of years. After a failed 202223 campaign, it was time to hit the reset button. Most of the rotation from last year entered the portal and Boynton retooled the roster through different avenues.

“There’s no question (remaking the roster felt needed),” Boynton said. “We needed a reset, and it came at a really good time because there was an opportunity to reestablish a foundation of basketball.”

Obviously, he wanted to rebuild the roster in ways that better the on-court product. He brought in a stellar recruiting class headlined by Brandon Garrison and Eric Dailey Jr. and snagged Javon Small from the portal.

But with young guys and new faces needing to mesh, the culture needed some work. Boynton wanted to assemble something different.

“Our staff did a really good job identifying some key pieces,” Boynton said. “Not just Javon, but Jarius and Mike (Marsh)…guys with some experience who’ve dealt with some stuff in their lives and their basketball careers that can help the younger guys figure out hard days of practice are OK, coaches yelling at you are OK.”

Quion Williams breakout?

When Anderson broke his left wrist and

missed the final 14 games of the season, Quion Williams was thrust into more playing time. The freshman former fourstar recruit from Jonesboro, Arkansas, played well, but it was clear he wasn’t ready offensively. In the team’s second practice of the year that was open to watch, Williams could not miss a 3-pointer and was aggressive attacking the rim against 7-foot-1 Isaiah Miranda.

“He changed his body, which was the most noticeable thing I saw,” Boynton said. “Me and him talked about him being more committed to being personally disciplined in terms of taking care of his body. He’s been one of our most consistent performers on the court, and we’ll certainly hope that will continue into the season.”

Boynton foresees Williams, at 6-5, 220 pounds, playing a versatile role in OSU’s lineups. He could either be a big guard or a smaller, yet physical forward who can crash the rim and defend most other players.

“He’s as capable defensively as we’ve had, so he could really lean into that role and be a guy who establishes an identity as a defensive stopper,” Boynton said.

File Photo

Kenny Gajewski is a fan of change, but this summer may have been too much for the coach heading into his ninth season.

Parker Gerl and Gabriel Trevino

File Photo

After not reaching the NCAA tournament last year, OSU coach Mike Boynton overhauled the Cowboys roster through the transfer portal.

Andon Freitas

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy!

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University. Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday

Houses for rent

Spacious 1100 sq. ft 2 bedroom home. Recently remodeled, CH/A, wood

floors, nice yard. 2214 E. 6th Ave., Scarlett Bus Route. 405-372-7107.

Cowboy Calendar

Friday 9/29/2023

Adventuring Academy: A Pathfinder Campaign

Stillwater Public Library @ 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Dylan Wheeler Live

Tumbleweed Dancehall & Concert Venue @ 8 p.m.

Tickets: $15

Mum & Pumpkin Sale

The Botanic Garden at OSU @ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Painting/Ceramics w/ Pizza

StillyArts @ 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Book your tickets here: https://stillyarts.com/paintnights

Fee: $20 (8x10 canvas + pizza) / $30 (11x14 canvas +

Pizza)

Rage In The Cage

Payne County Expo Center @ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/Rageinthecageoklahoma/

Stillwater High School Football: Pioneers vs. BT Washington 7 p.m. $5 General

Tuesday Gardening Series: Backyard Berries

The Botanic Garden at OSU @ 6-7 p.m.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1342433476512526/

Saturday 9/30/2023

Stillwater Farmers Market

Prairie Arts Center until Oct. 28th @ 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

9th Annual Pumpkin Patch Highland Park United Methodist Church until Oct. 31st

Monday - Friday @ 1 - 7 p.m. Sat - 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun 12 - 6 p.m. https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/stillwaternoon/index.php

Rage In The Cage

Payne County Expo Center @ 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/Rageinthecageoklahoma/ Fall Festival

First United Methodist Church-Stillwater @ 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Sunday 10/01/2023

Town & Gown Theatre Presents: And Then There Were

None

Tone & Gown Theatre:Musicals Adults: $16 Students or Military: $14 Seniors (Sun. only): $14 Plays Adults: $14 Students or Military: $12 Seniors (Sun. only): $12 https://www.townandgown. org/?fbclid=IwAR2bP2ZHCTi1R_BZJ08wi2jvd2JMLetDIW7_VXRLpEiry01mhUqxJVgdDCA

9th Annual

Monday 10/01/2023

Town & Gown Theatre Musicals Adults: $16 Students or Military: $14 Seniors (Sun. only): $14 Plays Adults: $14 Students or Military: $12 Seniors (Sun. only): $12

https://www.townandgown. org/?fbclid=IwAR2bP2ZHCTi1R_BZJ08wi2jvd2JMLetDIW7_VXRLpEiry01mhUqxJVgdDCA

next spring leads to romantic summer fun with your partner. Benefits flow into shared accounts.

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 — A challenge redirects you. This Full Moon in your sign illuminates a new personal direction. Expand your boundaries. Turn toward an inspiring possibility.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Review priorities privately. Balance old responsibilities with new. Meditate on dreams, past and future. This Full Moon illuminates a transition. Begin a two-week introspective phase.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Tonight’s Full Moon illuminates social changes. One door closes and another opens. Friends come and go in your community. Share appreciations, goodbyes and greetings.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Consider an exciting career opportunity. Make professional changes under this Full Moon. Redirect efforts over the next two weeks toward your talents and passions.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Adapt an exploration. The Full Moon highlights a shift in your educational direction over two weeks. Experiment with new concepts. Learn from masters.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Collaborate to grow family prosperity under this Full Moon. Adapt for new conditions over the next two weeks. Review and reassess. Keep planting seeds.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Adjust around changes with a partner under the Aries Full Moon. Compromise and collaborate for shared commitments. Reorient roles and responsibilities. Support each other.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Begin a new fitness phase. Adapt practices around Full Moon changes. Prioritize growing health and vitality over two weeks. Gain strength and endurance.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Change directions with a romance, passion or creative endeavor under the Full Moon in Aries. Express your heart, imagination and artistry. Shift perspectives.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 6 — Make repairs. Renovate, remodel and tend your garden. Domestic changes require adaptation under this Aries Full Moon. Enjoy a twoweek home and family phase. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Start a new chapter. Write your views. This two-week Full Moon phase favors communications, connection and intellectual discovery. Consider familiar stories from another perspective. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Make a shift around income and finances. Discover profitable opportunities in new directions under this Aries Full Moon. Redirect attention toward fresh potential.

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ bringing excitement to soccer in U.S.

Tessa Dorrell Staff Reporter

The Ryan Reynolds effect spans beyond acting and has taken over soccer.

“There is a crossover now,” said Cowgirl soccer coach Colin Carmichael. “Some actors, rappers, pop stars and country music stars are embracing soccer and going to games and buying franchises. It helps because it gets young people excited about our sport.”

The conversation regarding soccer grows with the production of shows such as “Ted Lasso” and “Welcome to Wrexham.” And it does so in a fun way. Even those within the Cowgirl soccer program have seen growth from it.

In “Ted Lasso,” a football coach is hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, and he struggles to adapt to the sport and the culture around it. “Welcome to Wrexham” is a documentary series about American actor Rob McElhenney and Canadian-American actor Reynolds and their purchase of professional Welsh soccer club Wrexham A.F.C.

“I grew up in a

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00am - 10:00pm

Thursday - Saturday: 10:00am - 11:00pm

Smith says Muirhead’s path resembles ‘piece of bamboo’

Staff Reporter

A talk with baseball coach Josh Holliday sparked a thought in cross-country coach Dave Smith’s mind.

“Holliday told me about some clip he read, describing how when you plant bamboo and water it for 90 days, it seems like nothing happens,” Smith said. “And suddenly, it pops up in the first three days and can grow 90 feet.

“Will Muirhead is like a piece of bamboo.”

Muirhead, a senior cross-country runner, almost didn’t even come to OSU. He wasn’t highly recruited, and he hadn’t had much success in high school. Now, Smith said Muirhead could be a key to this season’s crosscountry team. “He’s someone who I was on the edge of saying not to let him come,” Smith said. “He’s never going to make it here. But he came, and just put his nose to the grindstone and worked, worked and worked. He’s never complained, and he’s been far visioned in his approach. He’s never looked for instant results.”

Muirhead achieved top-20 finishes in both the Cowboy Jamboree and OSU Winter Open during his freshman season. Additionally, he finished 30th at the Big12 Men’s Championship in the 8K with a careerbest time of 24:34.

His sophomore year, Muirhead only competed (unattached) at the Cowboy Jamboree, finishing in 36th place with a time of 25:44.8.

Muirhead had a good 2022 cross-country season, finishing 11th at the Big 12 Championships, but he placed 140th at NCAAs. However, Muirhead finished in the top two at three of five events in the Steeplechase during the 2022 outdoor season.

Muirhead redshirted the 2023 outdoor season, but Smith watched Muirhead improve his indoor 3K time by 21 seconds from 2022 to 2023. Smith said Muirhead is on a different level.

“I think he would have had a huge jump forward in the Steeplechase as well,” Smith said. “If that same jump translates to where he was last year in cross country to where I think

he is this year, I think he’s a top-40 type of guy.”

That’s a big jump.

Especially for someone who was lightly recruited and took a couple years to find rhythm. Muirhead’s journey to Stillwater didn’t come easy, and expectations were not high for him, but Smith gained respect for him with his work ethic.

Looking back on Muirhead’s career, Smith’s comparison is true. Muirhead slowly grew, then sprouted quickly into a key piece of this year’s cross-country team.

When Holliday and he were talking about bamboo, Smith couldn’t help but see the similarities.

“That’s the way Will’s career has gone,” Smith said. “He worked and worked, we didn’t see it, and then suddenly, he’s growing like crazy.

“So, he’s like a piece of bamboo.”

small town that had a team very similar to what Wrexham would be,” Carmichael said. “So, to see the growth and how it affects the community, and everybody is tied to the club, it’s pretty cool to see that.”

Players have seen growth in popularity, too.

“People start talking about soccer,” said senior wingback Alex Morris. “…I know lots of people that don’t know anything about soccer but love Ted Lasso… I think it kind of plants a seed of interest and then grows from there.”

Soccer has become a part of popular culture in the United States, making headlines when there is success in the sport. The United States Women’s Team won the World Cup in 2019 and broke the internet with more than 82 million people watching.

“I feel like there’s so much more hype and excitement arounds girls’ soccer now than there used to be,” Morris said.

“It used to be kind of something you didn’t really hear about… but in the last World Cup, the entire country was watching the U.S. Women’s National Team. I think that is an amazing thing that has a trickledown effect for every

girl playing soccer in the country.”

Pop culture is not the only reason soccer is growing. The growth of the Big 12 Conference has contributed to rising interest in the sport locally, with notable programs such as BYU and UCF.

“Growing up, the only real soccer movie I can think of is She’s The Man,” said senior defender Mollie Breiner.

“Now (soccer) is on Twitter and stuff, having BYU coming to the Big 12 and how big their fans are. It has really gotten around.”

Soccer has room to grow in the United States and in Stillwater, but that doesn’t mean that the Cowgirls haven’t seen growth in their own fan base.

The extra screen time soccer is receiving helps, too.

“I’m seeing more sports come out to watch,” Breiner said.

“It’s very uplifting. You get to hear other people scream and yell even though they don’t always know what they are talking about. It gives you a little oomph to keep going.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Griff McClellan

File Photo

Will Muirhead wasn’t highly recruited out of high school, and coach Dave Smith almost didn’t let him join the program. Now, Muirhead is a key piece of the program.

Courtesy of Welcome to Wrexham/Twitter(X)

Actor Ryan Reynolds bought soccer club Wrexham A.F.C., which has helped keep soccer as a popular subject in the U.S.

OSU fan Maxwell Smith remembers the thrill that recently came with being a fan.

“It’s funny actually, because my Mondays would be me obviously taking care of school and life, but I’d just be waiting for Saturday to come basically, so I could (watch OSU),” Smith said. “The teams back then, they had so much draw, at least from a fan’s perspective, because they were winning. There was that excitement and appeal, I guess, to watch the guys that were on the team. (Brandon) Weeden, Justin Blackmon, Josh Stewart, (Mason) Rudolph, James Washington and others, they were fun to watch.”

Things have changed. This OSU football team lacks a household name, and it isn’t alone.

Basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling − the so-called spotlight

sports

to.”

sports − all lack a clear marquee figure.

Not to say excitement doesn’t still exist to some capacity.

“It just doesn’t feel the way it used to,” said Smith’s brother, Mitchell.

That could change. Some current athlete, or athletes, could emerge and seize the spotlight, drawing focus around and beyond campus. It’s happened before.

OSU needs it to happen now.

Less than a year ago, starting quarterback Spencer Sanders signed an NIL partnership with Eskimo Joe’s. In return, the restaurant held an autograph night.

On a November evening, fans snaked around the Stillwater staple to meet and take pictures with Sanders. People from all across the state made the trek to meet him.

“I remember when I was in these kids’ shoes,” Sanders told The O’Colly at the event. “I was looking up to other college and professional athletes, wanting my picture taken with them. I liked having that role model to look up

Tallying the faces

Alan Bowman (Football)

16 recognized, 14 not

Collin Oliver (Football)

2 recognized, 28 not

Ollie Gordon II (Football)

7 recognized, 23 not

Bryce Thompson (Men’s Basketball)

6 recognized, 24 not

Lior Garzon (Women’s Basketball)

0 recognized, 30 not

Is there a current Cowboy, or Cowgirl, who could draw that type of crowd?

“I don’t think it would draw a crowd like (Sanders did),” said OSU student Danielle Nester.

As an experiment, The O’Colly sampled 30 people, consisting of students, fans, university employees and Stillwater residents. Ten photos of current prominent OSU student-athletes were presented for identification.

The result: mostly shrugs. Who stands as the Face of the Program?

TBD. And that could be a problem.

“As a fan,” Nester said, “it’s fun having that player you can look forward to watching on game days. I don’t think it’s frustrating not having a single big name, but I think what’s more frustrating from a fan standpoint is the team not performing as well. “And that could be due to the lack of big names, I guess.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Hannah Chance (Soccer)

0 recognized, 30 not

Daton Fix (Wrestling)

3 recognized, 27 not

Nolan Schubart (Baseball)

2 recognized, 28 not

Carson Benge (Baseball)

3 recognized, 27 not

Lexi Kilfoyl (Softball)

1 recognized, 29 not

Marsh recaps OSU team trip to Spain

Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

Mike Marsh hasn’t been at OSU long, but he already has plenty of stories to tell.

Marsh, a redshirt senior, transferred from Jacksonville in the offseason and went on the Cowboy basketball team’s trip to Spain during the summer.

Q: How did the team bond in Spain?

A: “Coach (Mike Boynton) took our phones every time we went out. It was a great experience. We were going out to eat, ride boats, jet skis. Building a bond outside the court correlates to on the court.”

Q: How do 7-foot-tall players ride jet skis comfortably?

A: “The jet skis are actually pretty big, but

our knees were up to the handle bar. It was kind of funny. But we still got on it. It was fun. The trigger still works.”

Q: How did you deal with not having your phone?

A: “Not really. There were so many things to do out there. So I didn’t really mind. Plus I’m an older guy. I can go a couple hours without my phone.”

Q: What was the coolest thing you ate in Spain?

A: “Probably rabbit. Cooked rabbit, it was pretty good. I never ate that type of animal before. Of course burgers come from like pigs and stuff, but I never really ate rabbit and stuff. Wild game. It was good.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

OSU Transfers

Jarius Hicklen (Gr.), guard

Isaiah Miranda (Rs. Fr.), center

Javon Small (Jr.), guard

Mike Marsh (Rs. Sr.) center

File Photo

Le’Bryan Nash and Markel Brown watched on as star guard Marcus Smart announced his decision to return to OSU for his sophomore season back in 2013.

Ethan Scott Mike Marsh said the trip to Spain was a great experience and that coach Mike Boynton took the players’ phones when everyone went out.

The O’Colly sampled 30 individuals on OSU’s campus, using ten photos of current OSU student-athletes. Here are the results.

The O’Colly Sports Picks

Point / Counterpoint

Davis Cordova Braden Bush

Sure, Colorado is the new shiny toy for the defunct Pac-12, the Big 12 and surely every sports outlet in the nation (looking at you, ESPN Instagram). But, Utah has been the prized possession for the Big 12 since the start. The football program has been consistently good for two decades and they have the last two Pac-12 championships. Women’s basketball, softball and gymnastics are highly respected programs and don’t forget about the Holy War vs. BYU becoming a conference thing, too.

Is Colorado the best addition for the new-look Big 12?

There wasn’t much hype around Colorado’s return to the Big 12 other than all felt right in the world for Big Eight traditionalists. Colorado was the least shiny addition. Not anymore. Deion Sanders has made Colorado relevant again, and the Buffs are suddenly the hottest name in college football. Does the shine wear off eventually? Maybe. But Colorado turned into a cash cow that will bring attention, prime-time TV slots, ticket sales and money, and the on-field product is trending upward.