Wednesday, December 1, 2021
OSU rises to No. 5, Barta explains path to CFP for Cowboys a lot about the character of the team under pressure. “Oklahoma State showed the committee that in a playoff-like environment against Oklahoma in a rivalry game, they really found a way Ben Hutchens to win.” Digital Editor The team ahead of the Cowboys, the No. 4 CincinOklahoma State keeps nati Bearcats, will play No. 21 moving on up. Houston in the AAC ChampiWhen the season began, onship. the Cowboys were unranked, There is some belief but have fought their way to that because of Cincinnati’s No. 5 in the College Football relatively weak conference Playoff rankings. OSU (11-1 championship matchup they overall, 8-1 Big 12) has one could get jumped in the rankremaining contest, the Big 12 ings. Championship Game, against When asked if the No. 9 Baylor and needs to Bearcats might get overtaken, climb one spot to make the Barta reiterated in a Tuesday four team College Football conference call the committee Playoff. doesn’t project. It only evaluThe Cowboys are com- ates games that have been ing off a 37-33 victory over played. Oklahoma. According to CFP “Georgia and Alabama Selection Committee Chair are going to play. Michigan Gary Barta, the rivalry win and Iowa are going to play. showed the committee OSU Oklahoma State and Baylor. could handle pressure well. We’re going to watch all those “We just learned that games. And then until that two really good football occurs, until the last game is teams, but Oklahoma State played, we won’t be having came out on top,” Barta said. any conversations about who “They were able to score is going to be one, two, three, some points. The defense four, five et cetera, and that is continues to play well. I don’t the way we go about it,” Barta know if we learned anything said. specifically about offense or defense, but certainly learned sports.ed@ocolly.com
Abby Smith
Gold medalist Cottrill transferring to OSU Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
via Twitter (@juliacottrill)
Julia Cottrill left Stillwater for Florida. As a teenager, she’d collected all-state honors, championships and a gold medal to her name. After two years in Gainesville, Florida, Cottrill transferred from the Gators, and now will be behind the plate for her hometown Oklahoma State Cowgirls. Cottrill was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and attended Stillwater High School, where she was named the Central Oklahoma Offensive Player of the Year, along with all-state honors in 2018. In 2019, Cottrill was a part of Team USA’s under-19 team in the Women’s Softball World Cup, where she won a gold medal. Cottrill committed to the University of Florida and started 74 of her 75 collegiate games as the Gators catcher. In her two seasons, Cottrill batted .309, had 37 RBIs and five home runs. In the Cowgirls fall ball schedule, head coach Kenny Gajewski used many players, even some with little or no experience as catchers due to injuries and for players to compete for a starting job. Cottrill said she is proud to return to Stillwater and play at the collegiate level in her hometown. “It’s good to be home,” Cottrill said. “I have always admired the culture and atmosphere at Oklahoma State and I’m grateful to get to be a part of it.” sports.ed@ocolly.com