1/1 by The O'Colly

Friday, January 1, 2021

Return to normalcy

21 stories osu can look forward to in 2021 The COVID vaccine, a new president for the country and university, success on the field and fans in the stands. After dealing with a hellacious 365 days, the OSU community is ready for all that’s coming in 2021. Here are the 21 stories OSU can look forward to in 2021:

COVID-19 Vaccine Arrival As the new coronavirus vaccine becomes more and more readily available, it is President Hargis’ hope that the opportunity will arise for every OSU student to receive it. “While we do not know exactly when our community will be fully vaccinated, the prospect that the end is in sight is comforting.” Hargis said. As vaccines are distributed, it is important for the cowboy community to continue following CDC protocols throughout the spring semester. by Maddison Farris

Hargis’ retirement/ new OSU president

On October 23, 2020, OSU President Burns Hargis announced to the Board of Regents and cowboy community that he plans to retire, effective July 1st, 2021. The search for a new president has already begun and students are eager to learn of the board’s decision which is expected to be made public sometime during the spring semester. Hargis mentioned that it would be a bonus to have the new President be an OSU alumni. “It gives you instant credibility with the faculty, students, donors and alumni. I think it really helped me a lot to know that I drank the same Kool-Aid.” Hargis said. by Maddison Farris

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2021

Biden Transition As 2021 approaches, so does the coming Biden administration. President Elect Joe Biden is set to be inaugurated on January 20th. Vice President Elect Kamala Harris will also be sworn in that day. After the ceremony, the Biden transition will be official and the plans that the Administration has made will begin to take effect. Americans can expect to see a huge effort for coronavirus relief and international safety as the duo begins to lead America back toward normalcy. by Maddison Farris

COVID Restrictions/ Mandates On Campus

With the New Year comes new restrictions. The infamous COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep through America, affecting the way education is given and received. For OSU students, the new restrictions may seem like a drag but with mandatory in-person classes coming in full swing for the next semester, some may view this as a step in the right direction. While maintaining proper social distancing and wearing appropriate face coverings, students will be able to get that fulfilling classroom experience that has been so dearly missed.

by Maddison Farris

100th Homecoming What’s dubbed as “America’s Greatest Homecoming,” the 100th homecoming was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The scene near Washington Street was a ghost town as the usual exciting and colorful displays could not be exposed to the public in 2020. The OSU community should be excited as it seems to be worth the wait to have a safe homecoming for everyone to celebrate with the usual tradition of the Stillwater faithful and OSU alumni coming together to make perhaps the most anticipated homecoming in OSU history. by Maddison Farris graphic by Emily Weed

Graduation in Person

One of the most contentious issues Burns Hargis faced this past year was his decision to make graduation mostly virtual. Thanks to the projected vaccine arrival, Hargis announced in a recent release that “While we do not yet know what the status of the pandemic will be in May, we plan to hold in-person commencement events this spring, perhaps outside. We will follow the guidelines from health officials as we make our plans and will be announcing those later in the semester.”

by Ryan Novozinsky

O’Brate Stadium (Finally) Set to Open This Season

It’s nearly a year late, but Cowboy baseball is moving into its new home. The first game at O’Brate Stadium was supposed to be March 20, 2020, but with all spring sports being canceled because of the pandemic, the $60 million ballpark sat empty. Instead, the Cowboys have already quietly moved into the new facility. They are practicing, training and scrimmaging there in preparation for the 2021 season, which they will open at their new home. by Ryan Breeden

ACTIVE FAITH! (Part #2) “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Heb.11: NIV) These Ancients of the Bible were commended for their faith. “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Gen.6:9 NIV) He believed God existed and God rewarded those who diligently sought him. His faith brought immediate action. (Heb.11:8) He did not put the building of the ark on a long “to do” list. It took 100 years to build. During that time he constantly spoke of the judgement that was coming. (2 Pet.2:5) This was the situation in Noah’s day. How about our day? Do we believe God exists? To so many, God is something of the past; one you give an hour or so every Sunday morning, because of tradition, but he does not truly count

for much in life. So this moves us to turn to things that have only temporary pleasure, and build our life activities around them. Noah and others mentioned in Heb. 11, were looking for something lasting, something God had promised. They realized they were strangers and pilgrims; living here for a short time. They were living for something better. (Heb.11:13-16) It is so worthwhile to read and reread the New Testament and consider what was the hope of the early Christian leaders; they passed on to all the believers. It was not centered in this present life. They were “running a race;” living a life centered in the example of Jesus himself, and in those who walked with him during his earthly life. We can do the same; live for the eternal, present ourselves to Christ, and let him use us to bear lasting fruit.

8 9 10 11 Two potential top-10 picks for OSU basketball

OSU fans will get a healthy dose of top-end basketball in 2021 in the forms of Cade Cunningham and Natasha Mack. As a freshman, Cunningham brings an energy to Gallagher-Iba Arena and eyes from the nation. He is also the projected No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Mack is living up to her potential as a top-10 pick in next year’s WNBA draft. She has worked wonders since stepping on OSU’s campus. by Jacob Sturm

2021 Olympics

Originally scheduled to take place from July 24th through August 9th, 2020, the Tokyo Olympics will now be held July 23rd to August 8th, 2021. The games are something that many viewers and athletes are looking forward to as the New Year is welcomed. As of currently, it is expected that visitors and viewers will be able to see the Olympics take place in person, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. OSU wrestler Daton Fix will partake in this year’s games

by Maddison Farris

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NCAA postseason ban decision could potentially be revealed Will OSU men’s basketball be postseason eligible this season? Who knows? On June 5, 2020, the NCAA announced a three-year probation for OSU basketball, including a reduction of scholarships, a fine and most notably a postseason ban for the 2020-2021 season. The university filed an immediate appeal, and as long as the appeal process is active, OSU is still eligible. If the appeals committee comes to a decision before the postseason, then whatever its decision is will determine the teams’ eligibility. by Ryan Breeden

Looking ahead: Two talented quarterbacks, one starting spot After a hectic 2020 season, there are more questions to be asked than answered. One of the biggest being: who will start at quarterback? Spencer Sanders is coming off his second season, and we’ve seen insane talent but also some inconsistency. On the flip side, Shane Illingworth will be a sophomore next year, and he has an undeniable talent in the pocket. Will Mike Gundy have a QB competition in 2021? We’ll just have to wait and see. by Ryan Breeden

Page 4 Friday, January 1, 2021

Hosting a shot at redemption Oklahoma State was scheduled to host the 2020 NCAA tennis championships, but because of COVID, the event was canceled. However, the 2021 ITA women’s team indoor championship was moved from Seattle to Stillwater because of COVID restrictions. The event is scheduled for Feb. 5-7, and because OSU is hosting, the Cowgirls will be competing in the event. The Cowgirls, who finished last year ranked No. 14, will use the event as a chance for redemption.

by Ben Hutchens

Champion Cowboys? John Smith and his Cowboy wrestling squad share high aspirations this season. OSU, searching for its ninth consecutive Big 12 title, will be assisted by a powerful freshmen class, including the speedy offense of AJ Ferrari and two-time Oklahoma state champion Dustin Plott. In addition, OSU welcomes the return of defending Big 12 champions in Boo Lewallen and Travis Wittlake. Talent and depth solidify OSU as a legit contender for its first national title since 2006. by Adam Engel

graphic by Emily Weed

No spring break - wellness days instead

During winter break, OSU announced there would be “wellness” days instead of the usual spring break. Students will get to recharge their brains on Feb. 3, March 4 and April 13. This has to do with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to limit the mass amount of students traveling across the country. The Student Affairs team at OSU has also planned a variety of programs for students that will make these worth the while.

by Jared A’Latorre

15 Fixin’ for a return

Cowboy 133-pounder Daton Fix is eligible to return to the mat on Feb. 11, 2021, after serving a well-documented, one-year suspension. OSU fans are eager to watch their beloved Cowboy for the first time since finishing NCAA runner-up in a controversial 2019 133 title bout against Rutgers’ Nick Suriano. Fix will also attempt to make the U.S. Olympic team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after utilizing an Olympic redshirt season. by Adam Engel

graphic by Emily Weed

The three stages of this soccer season

The Cowgirl soccer season can be divided into three sections. OSU has already played most of its games, going (6-2-1) in Big 12 play. Then comes the “Impress the committee” stage. From February to mid-April, teams will schedule a few games to boost their NCAA Tournament resume. The third stage, which OSU appears likely to reach, is the NCAA Tournament. The 48 teams selected will compete for a championship bracket-style from April 30 – May 17. by Sam Hutchens

Golfer Austin Eckroat comes back Oklahoma State has a long list of star golfers who have walked the halls of Karsten Creek, Austin Eckroat is seeking to become the next golfer to make his mark in Stillwater. After last season was cut short he, and the team, have unfinished business that led to him making the decision to return before going pro. Eckroat is expected to turn pro at the conclusion of the 2021 season. by Chris Becker

Stillwater movie releasing

After getting its November 2020 release date pushed back due to COVID-19, the movie Stillwater starring Matt Damon is likely set to premier in 2021. The plot synopsis for the movie reads as follows: “an Oklahoma man travels to Marseille, France, to prove that his estranged daughter is innocent of murder.” by Ryan Novozinsky

McKnight Center returning OSU’s McKnight Center for the performing arts is set to return to inperson shows in 2021. This begins with the hall’s performance of “Selma” on Jan. 21. The McKnight Center is projected to be a $50 million dollar building and it finally will see people again in the coming year. by Ryan Novozinsky

OSU softball looks to build off two previous seasons to get back to OKC

OSU was in the midst of a 12-game winning streak before COVID-19 ended the season early. The Cowgirls have a lot of returners from the team that started 19-5 and also brings in some big-time additions to try and repeat the 2019 season that ended in Oklahoma City at the College World Series. With coach Kenny Gajewski at the helm, the Cowgirls will look to finally dethrone Oklahoma for the top of the Big 12. by Chris Becker

Fancy astrological events If you love stargazing, mark your calendars for these exciting astronomical events expected to take place in 2021. The first is a Total Lunar Eclipse on May 26th which will display the moon getting darker and darker until it takes on a rusty red color. The second is an Annular Solar Eclipse on June 10th. During this event the moon will move in front of the sun without covering fully, creating a “ring of fire” effect. Lastly, on November 19th there will be a Partial Lunar Eclipse as the moon passes through the earth’s shadow. All of these events will be visible from various locations in North America. by Maddison Farris

Page 6 Friday, January 1, 2021

sports

Checking the tape Chris Becker Watching and studying film is a key part of basketball, but some players take longer to buy into the film watching process when they get to college. That is where Erik Pastrana comes in. Pastrana is the Oklahoma State men’s basketball team’s recruiting coordinator and assistant coach. Pastrana is now in his second season with the Cowboys, but he’s already made a big impact on the program. “He’s really helped me,” Keylan Boone said. “I remember last year my shot wasn’t really falling at all, and I kind of didn’t know my purpose on the team and he was like, ‘Stay in the gym and get shots up, live by playing defense and rebounding.’ His coaching style, I love it, it’s so precise and he likes all the little details, and I can see my game start picking up on the little details. I just love when I ask him if I can get some help with this or watch film on this, and he’s always open.” Before bringing his film mindset to Stillwater, he was an assistant at Labette Community College, Florida International, Florida Atlantic and Stephen F. Austin. Pastrana also served as a graduate assistant at Kansas State from 2007-09. Between his stints at FIU and FAU, he served as the head coach at Daytona State College, where he coached current OSU guard Bryce Williams. “In JUCO, he was a little more laid back,” Williams said. “When I was at Ole Miss, we still had a connection, he still called and texted me. When we played (OSU), I wanted to switch teams bad in New York. Here, he’s still laid back, he’s still the same guy,

but he’s on a mission to get to the Big 12 Championship.” During his time at Stephen F. Austin is where he met coach Mike Boynton and fell in love with film. He sees film as a way to develop both the on the court side of basketball as well as the mental side. “It’s one of those things that even going back to my time at SFA, as a staff I felt like one of our strengths was spending extra time with our guys to help them grow,” Pastrana told the O’Colly. “A lot of people talk about the player development side on the court, and I think the mental side of player development is just as if not more crucial. (Watching film) has just always been a thing. The best programs that I’ve been a part of have always spent a lot of time watching film.” When COVID-19 struck and the Cowboys were stuck outside of Stillwater, Pastrana and the rest of the staff decided to have each player pick out a player that they have respect for or model their game after to watch their film. “It just opens our guys’ minds up a little bit,” Pastrana said. Since their time together at Stephen F. Austin, Boynton and Pastrana have built a strong bond on and off the court that has led to a long lasting friendship. With Pastrana quickly racking up an impressive resume in just a short time, a head coaching job could come calling soon, but Boynton hopes he stays put for a couple of years in Stillwater. “He knows what I expect,” Boynton said. “I can hand him some responsibilities and never think about it, I know it’s going to get done to the highest level possible. He’s all in to help us have a successful program. “He does a lot of things well, he’s a really good recruiter, he’s a really good player development guy, he understands the game, he works his tail off, and he’s going to be a head coach at some point, I

JC Ridley/Photo courtesy of FAU Athletics Oklahoma State men's basketball coach Mike Boyton has hired Erik Pastrana, a former assistant coach at Florida Atlantic University, to his staff.

hope not too soon because I need to keep some continuity here.” A coach who has such a big impact on a program in such a short amount of time is hard to come by, but Boynton has found one, and the players have quickly taken notice to Patrana’s work ethic. “EP, he’s everything this Oklahoma State staff embodies,” Isaac Likekele said. “He represents OSU to the fullest every day with everything he’s got. He’s watching film for hours, he’s scouting, he’s working us out in practice, he’s getting in on drills and he’s working out downstairs while we’re in the weight room. It’s little things like that.” As recruiting coordinator, Pastrana helped bring in the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation, according to Rivals.com, in only his second season. Film plays a big role in recruiting, especially in 2020 in the midst of a pandemic. Getting players to buy into film once they get to campus is even more important. Last season, Boynton and Pastrana had a film room video series on social media where they

broke down different players’ films. That series was just a small view to the importance of film in the Cowboy program. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to come out because I don’t really watch film for a performance, I watch film just to help guys get better,” Pastrana said. “Courtney (Bay) and Stephen (Howard) do such a great job capturing that in the right sense. I think it’s been great from all perspectives, and I think it gives a glimpse into our program and how we spend time with our guys.” With a lot of expectations on the Cowboys this season, Pastrana is a big part of the staff who will try to hang another banner inside of Gallagher-Iba Arena with Boynton. “I don’t know if I can say enough about his value to the program,” Boynton said. “He knows me better than anybody on our staff. Obviously ,he hasn’t been here very long, but we had a good working relationship, we have a personal relationship, he’s one of my dearest friends in the whole world.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 1, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Help Wanted Tulsa manufacturing company looking for

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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Tammany Hall caricaturist 5 Nursery buy 10 Trade jabs 14 Accurate 15 Discontinue 16 100 centavos 17 Zeus’ nickname for his relentlessly tenacious wife? 19 Rowing exercise targets 20 Gunk 21 “Ciao __”: longrunning cooking show 23 Ginnie __: investments 24 Feasts 26 “What else do you expect from the god of the Underworld”? 31 1970s first family 32 Partner, often 33 At the moment 34 Major employer 35 Feast where the Haggadah is read 36 Penny-farthing, for one 37 Vow avowal 38 Milky stones 39 What “x” may mean 40 Allows Persephone’s mother to compete in a marathon? 43 Windblown silt 44 Purges 45 Honda model 48 Keaton role in “The Founder” 49 Uneven do 50 How Spanish fighters refer to the Greek god of war? 56 Prefix for an assistant 57 __ All: car care brand 58 2000 candidate 59 Tip-to-tip measure 60 Fills to the gills 61 Microsoft browser DOWN 1 __ degree 2 We may precede it, but I can’t

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By Robin Stears

3 Big __ 4 Ceylon gunpowder container 5 Go downhill fast 6 Obey 7 “Way cool, dude!” 8 GI entertainers 9 One who has all the luck? 10 Amount of vermouth in a dry martini 11 Ring out 12 Piedmont wine region 13 “Brooklyn NineNine” detective Diaz 18 Beech and peach 22 Something shed 23 Burrowing rodent 24 Marginal drawings 25 Use money to make money 26 Multitude 27 Sparkles 28 Bad blood 29 T-Rex on a Monopoly board 30 Sources of Roquefort

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

31 Fall flat 35 Fighter’s training apparatus 36 1996 Robin Williams comedy, with “The” 38 Gas leak tip-off 39 Small combos 41 L’Oréal’s “Because We’re Worth It,” e.g. 42 Bloopers

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45 Nile serpents 46 Dry and crack 47 Delevingne of “Suicide Squad” 48 Macramé basic 51 Business card letters 52 Bird on Australian coins 53 Towel holder 54 Indoor rower, for short 55 Go out with

Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (01/01/21). The New Year blesses you with abundance. Nurture your garden faithfully to reap a prosperous harvest. Rebound from winter shadows before summer transitions lead to new physical performance levels. Next winter brings an epiphany and resolution. Squirrel away bountiful nuts for later. 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 — You and your partner are on dences, ideas and solutions. Collaborate for common gain. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Prioritize growing health and vitality. Share dreams, visions and possibilities to energize your work. Listen to a trusted coach and follow their guidance. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Romance arises in conversation. Talk about crazy dreams, hidden opportunities and wild possibilities. Express your creativity, passion and care. Share and speculate about solutions. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Discuss domestic dreams. Align on changes and take action. Move the furniture. Clean, sort and organize to reduce clutter. Generate satisfying results. Beautify your space. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Don’t pay for a wild story.

Level 1

you’re ready to reveal. Study the situation. gether. Bargain, negotiate and barter. Talk about dreams, possibilities and potential. Keep an open mind. Sign on the dotted line. you well. Tap creative ideas. Reject far-fetched schemes in favor of practical solutions. As you gain strength, you gain options. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Write your dreams and creative visions. Listen to intuition and notice the emotional undercurrent. Rest and recharge. Make plans and preparations. Savor peaceful settings. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Discuss potential opportunities with your team. Invest in infrastructure. Others appreciate your persuasive views. Social interactions reveal unconsidered solutions. Collaborate with friends and allies. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 5 — Focus on professional priorities, potential and dreams. Walk and talk. Alternate between physical exercise and quiet contemplation. Replace something volatile with something secure. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — You’re energized and inspired by what you’re learning. Make a valuable connection and develop it. Plan future trips and adventures. Consider educational opportunities. Discuss. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Changes necessitate budget revisions. Plan and act strategically. Avoid impulsive expense. Join forces

1/1/21

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 © 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.