Friday, January 22, 2021
Zooming out
OSU boldly sends students back into classes Adam Engel Freshman Hannah Rath heard the horror stories. Her mother works as an ICU nurse in an Oklahoma Hospital, so she’s aware of the monumental magnitude of the coronavirus. Back in class, literally, at Oklahoma State, Rath fears for the potential of this semester, a semester of forced in-person attendance. “People in the OSU community are hurting, and the
OSU administration will have failed us if they do not change the COVID guidelines for the spring of 2021,” Rath said. Oklahoma State University has altered its attendance policies for this semester. According to a document obtained by the O’Colly from Provost Gary. D. Sandefur, “For courses that are designed to be in-person, both students and faculty benefit from inperson instruction, therefore, we encourage students to attend classes whenever possible.” See Zooming on pg. 3a Joshua Cleary OSU has switched back to in-person classes for the spring semester.
Optional to mandatory
Why osu’s class attendance strategy changed so drastically
Emily Weed
By Maddison Farris OSU mom Meredith Ryckeley once embraced virtual learning at Oklahoma State, thinking it would be a great way for students like her son to find success during a hard time, but having seen her son’s struggles, she’s all in on his return to the classroom. “Before the semester started, I thought it (online class-
es) was a good thing and I was actually very hopeful that it would be a great option for kids to be successful. I don’t think that happened.” Ryckeley said. “We’re social people, we need that interaction and it just became very, very, difficult.” Ryckeley made note of her son’s experience with professors who gave students a hard time for not showing up to class in person and were extremely difficult to
reach online due to little to no office hours or simple technological incapability. Many students experienced seasons of depression and anxiety brought on by the many stressors that came along with the difficult year. The school made efforts to aid those who were struggling, but the most that many students received was a magnet with the suicide hotline phone number printed on it. “Fall 2020 was
the most challenging semester I’ve experienced in my 30 plus years as an OSU professor,” said Tom Wikle, Associate Dean for Instruction in the College of Arts and Sciences. “With many courses shifted to online delivery, office hours held virtually and social distancing procedures, it was difficult for students and faculty to make connections.” OSU made efforts to raise social interaction throughout the fall, but it seems to have become clear that nothing can be traded for an in-person class experience. The university has decided to reinstate in-person classes and many are hoping that a step toward familiarity will lift spirits and boost morale. To further back the reasoning on moving forward with inperson classes, OSU Provost, Gary Sandefur, released a statement in November of last year saying that no COVID-19 cases had been tracked back to classrooms, therefore signifying the effectiveness of social distancing and protec-
tive protocols. “We are fortunate that no instances of contact tracing for COVID-19 during the fall mapped back to a classroom setting.” Provost Gary Sandefur wrote, “current guidelines will continue for required face masks in all public locations, including classrooms and laboratories, and proper social distancing in all instructional spaces.” This has removed COVID-19 as a factor for withholding in-person classes and the social experience that students have been missing. This comes along with attendance now being factored into grades, and the school-wide removal of seating charts. “I recommend that students continue to reach out to their instructors and to each other for help,” said Dr. Wikle. Meredith Ryckeley also offered encouragement saying “Find a friend group, even if it’s a small one, to help encourage you guys. You’ll get there. It’ll get better.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Page 2A Friday, January 22, 2021
Page 2
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CHRIST’S CHURCH! I became a Christian in November 1956 in Japan while a member of the U.S. Air force. Shortly after, a friend and I traveled to visit some missionaries. While talking with one, I asked him; Which group or church should I join? There are so many. Which one is right? Wisely, he did not answer my question directly, but handed me a church card and said, I have heard that God is working in a wonderful way at this church. If you get an opportunity, it would be good to go by and visit. On my way back to my base, I prayed that the Lord would get me stationed near Waco, Texas if he wanted me to visit this church. My orders came in a few days later, I was stationed at Ft. Worth, Texas, 85 miles from Waco. I had a wonderful time there. Was it a perfect church? No! But God taught me many good things while there that
laid a solid foundation for my Christian life. The real church (Called out ones) is made up of individuals around the world who have responded to the gospel message. They have opened their hearts to Christ, put their trust in Him as their Saviour and Lord. Their sins are forgiven and they have a new life by the Holy Spirit. The church is growing in China and the Far east. Though persecuted, God is calling out people in the Middle East. The church is South America is expanding in many places. All over the World, people are responding to the call of Christ to trust and follow him. The meetings and outward forms vary, but the Lord is building his church. (Mt.16:18) God’s love gift, the good news, is still offered to all through Christ. Be sure it is yours! Come and follow Jesus!
Sports reporters: Jared A‘Latorre Ryan Breeden Alex Callaway Adam Engel Jospeh Fazio Ben Hutchens Sam Hutchens Gavin Pendergraff Dean Ruhl Jacob Sturm Marcus Trevino Grant Ramirez Designers: Annemarie Chaney Kayla Ballero Christian Van Curen Emily Weed
News reporters: Addie Duling Claire Hosterman Anna Pope Jared A‘Latorre Ellen Slater Robert Owens Lifestyle writers: Amelia Jáuregui Ellen Slater Addison Duling Bryanna Nickel Esther Niang Jessie Hernandez Robert Owens Samantha Sanchez
Photographers: Joshua Cleary Zachary Hunter Bryan Pizana Alicia Young Eliza Kent Logan Biggins Willistean Bennett Claire Boomer Abby Cage Abby Smith Ramone Dickens Maxwell Moody
News Former OSU student caught secretly living at Chicago O’Hare Airport for 3 months By Ryan Novozinsky and Maddison Farris
When former Oklahoma State student Adam Dinkledine turned on the news the other day, he saw one of the strangest sights of his life: his college roommate was arrested for secretly living in the busiest airport in the world. “I was sitting in my home office and just about fell out of my chair,” Dinkledine told The O’Colly. “I saw his picture and his name and I was like ‘surely not, it’s got to be somebody else.’ And I looked into it and it definitely was him.” According to multiple reports, Aditya Udai Singh, who graduated from OSU with two master’s de-
grees from Oklahoma State in 2018, lived undetected in Chicago’s O’Hare airport from Oct. 19 to Jan. 16 because he was “scared to go home because of Covid.” After arriving in Chicago on a flight from Los Angeles in October, Singh lived in the security zone of the O’Hare Airport, receiving food from generous passengers and remaining incognito after stealing the ID badge of an operations manager to avoid suspicion. “He’s a smart guy,” Dinkledine said. “It does seem like it would take a certain level of ingenuity to be in the airport for that long. I definitely think he’s clever enough to pull it off. I don’t think he was trying to
hurt anybody or anyone or anything.” Singh has been charged with the impersonation of an airport employee after stealing an operations manager’s security badge, as well as theft of less than $500. Dinkledine said he doesn’t think any of Singh’s actions had malicious intent. Though they haven’t spoken in years, he described Singh as friendly, but silent. “He’s a quiet soft spoken guy, he’s really nice and friendly,” Dinkledine said. “I did not get to know him that well. We kind of had our own friend groups but we lived in the same house for one year.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Aditya Udai Singh on Linkedin and Chicago Police Aditya Udai Singh, a former OSU student, was caught secretly living at Chicago O’Hare Airport for 3 months.
Claire Boomer OSU is still requiring masks on campus to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
zooming
acknowledging that face-to-face learning is ideal for student academic success,” Sandefur said. “We want to encourage in-person attendance whenever possible, but faculty members That’s one side Continued from pg. 1a still have the authorof the argument. OSU’s push for “I’ve never been ity and flexibility to adapt course delivery traditional learning an online person,” methods. If a student was backed by the said Jace Stanley, a is concerned about fact that, according freshman studying in-person attendance, to the document, “no aerospace and meinstances of contact chanical engineering. they should reach out to their professor to tracing for COV“I don’t like it. It’s discuss options.” ID-19 during the Fall way more compliNobody knows mapped back to a cated than learning classroom setting.” should be. I like just how this move back to normalcy will Compared to being in class with work out. This seother schools in the professor giving mester could be a Oklahoma and nayou the work and disaster or a major tionwide, OSU’s notes in person. If success. At some in-person attendance you need to talk to point, somebody policies almost shape the professor, you up as a test case. The could do it right after has to make the first move. OSU is doing University of Oklaclass.” that. homa is continuing The effects of “I think univerits hybrid instruction education amid the sities should maintain format from the fall coronavirus extend maximal flexibility 2020 semester and beyond OSU. in allowing distance has adopted a strict According to learning during the mask policy. the Texas Education pandemic,” said Dr. According to Agency, the average Amesh A. Adalja, a OU’s University student lost roughly Mandatory Masking 3.2 months of learn- senior scholar at John Hopkins University Policy, “Bandanas, ing during school who has been widely scarves, gaiters, closures in March quoted by national buffs, and the like 2020. are not acceptable.” Oklahoma Gov- media for his experOSU’s move ernor Kevin Stitt has tise related to the implications of the back to the classroom used data from stuis seen as highly dents’ performances coronavirus. “There will likecontroversial, espeto advocate for inly be students on any cially by students. person learning. college campus that Some are miffed by “These kids have high-risk condithe change, others are struggling and tions such as obesity embrace it. it’s not their fault,” and asthma that may “My dad has Stitt said. “They choose to use remote stage four melanoma, need to be in their a cancer that he is classrooms, and they learning. While it is actively fighting,” need to be with their true the classrooms can be and have been freshman Becky teachers.” Gamino said. “AlIn an email sent reconfigured to be though my dad is not to the O’Colly, OSU much safer, it may take some time bea student, the univer- addressed the backfore in-person college sity fails to recognize lash. learning resumes in a that putting their own “This semespre-pandemic fashstudents in danger ter the university is ion.” puts the whole Okla- working to balance homa State commuour commitment to nity at risk as well.” student safety while news.ed@ocolly.com
Students thoughts on upcoming presidency By Amelia Jauregui
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are officially President and Vice President of the United States. However, politics have become a very divisive subject between all types of people within the country, and that includes students here on campus. While there are extremes on both ends of the spectrum, most students have been both welcoming and understanding of the change, regardless of political affiliation. For Michigan native, Gabby Hentemann, this change in presidency is the start to a positive change in the United States. “I feel hopeful that the shift from such a polarizing figure such as Trump may result in some positive changes in the next 4 years, [however] the campaign phrase “settle for Biden” could not be a more accurate representation of my feelings about the change in presidency,” Hentemann said. “Although Biden may not be the most ideal candidate for president, I think most people were able to recognize he was a better option than Trump.” As for freshman Josie Uhlmann, her opinions on
the change in presidency go more towards all citizens of the country. “Although I’m not super political, I see this Presidential change as an opportunity for our country to grow and reform broken pieces,” Uhlamm said. “People will always have strong beliefs and there will always be those in the middle, but being able to adapt makes America what she is.” But it isn’t without mentioning the role media plays on the opinions of the people, and how that may affect their reactions. “The way the media plays the political game can make it difficult to form your own opinions and see what is really important to you,” Uhlmann said. “Change is hard, especially big change for those who are firm in their beliefs, but I trust in America. No matter who you voted for; we are all Americans.” As for Freshman Grant Wilcox, only one sentence was needed to explain his thoughts on the recent presidential inauguration. “Hopefully Biden can regain the trust of Americans towards their government,” Wilcox said.
News.ed@ocolly.com
Claire Boomer A Biden for President flag sway in the breeze on Library Lawn. The OSU College Democrats gather on Library Lawn in Celebration for President Elect Biden on Nov. 7, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Page 4A Friday, January 22, 2021
News
OSU celebrates MLK “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” This is a quote straight from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s monumental I have a dream speech, from August 28, 1963. Every third Monday of January we celebrate the works and actions of Dr. King in uniting a racially divided nation. In today’s climate, however, we are still dealing with these issues. Now it is our time to take action and work together to positively impact the lives of our communities and serve as an example for others to follow. This Dr. Martin Luther King Jr day, with the help of the Residential Housing President Dr. Leon McClinton Jr, Oklahoma State University has created some events and opportunities of their own. Dr. McClinton created a diverse committee comprised of faculty, staff, and students from many different parts of OSU; this way it is easier to create events that everyone can participate in. “We want to get as many people involved as possible,” Dr. McClinton says, “ I wanted to provide more opportunities for students to participate for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr day”. “We need to remember the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and know that we came a long way, but there is more work to be done”. The schedule of events was later created outlining everything OSU has planned to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr day. The events started on January 8th with an application for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr scholarship, which would
and helped promote future events. “Dr. King was a great man and a smart protestor, he knew where to march and how to get people’s attention”, prospective Industrial Engineering and Mechanical and Aerospace engineering students, Sebastian Gutierrez and Logan Thornton said, “people need to learn more about what he did, he was marching peacefully, but he targeted areas where police brutality was guaranteed and exposed them as the police targeted the protester, even sending attack dogs on the women and children”. This Dr. Martin Luther King Jr day started with community service at the OSU Family Resource Center (FRC). The service began around 8:30 a.m. and ended at 11:00 a.m., there were about 60 volunteers consisting of students, staff, faculty, and administrators ready to help. The main organizer Dr. Elizabeth Carver-Cyr, the Assistant Director, Family and Graduate Student Housing, was overjoyed to see everyone come to support. “I’m thankful to see how many people came and helped fix up the FRC” Dr. CarverCyr said, “ the last time this place was cleaned was around early March right before the start of the COVID pandemic”. The volunteers had many tasks ranging from cleaning and organizing to gathering supplies and testing various appliances and computers. Dr. CarverCyr provided everyone with Personal protective equipment along with food and water before and during the event. Even with everyone wearing masks, you could feel the upbeat happy vibe from everyone there. “I had no idea what I signed up for, but it turned out to be wonderful”, Faculty Council
ing at the Spears School of Business and culminating at the McKnight Center. This march was to remember the sacrifices that were made, so we all can live in a country where we are accepted and appreciated. At the scene of the march there were more than 300 people ready to celebrate. After OSU senior student Calyn Adams’ performance as a guest singer, the march commenced. Throughout, you could hear speakers emitting Dr. King’s speeches, and handcrafted signs with touching messages inscribed. “No one in the black community has made an impact like
have three winners who would receive a scholarship of $1,500, $1,000, and $500 respectively. The same day is when the Celebrating Black Lives Art Contest submissions were due. These opportunities quickly gained traction
Chair, Gina Peek says, “this is the easiest way for me to serve my community, and meet such wonderful people”. Later in the same day was the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr socially distanced march through campus, start-
Dr.King”, Andrew McGee said, “ his ability to inspire and educate is beautiful”. “It’s important to acknowledge the progression we have made as people of color”. Once the march reached the McKnight
By Robert Owens
center, guest speaker, Caileb Booze shared some powerful words. Preaching about how we shouldn’t be extreme optimists or pessimists, but when it comes to measuring racial equality in this country. “Separation keeps us as enemies, because we fear each other” he said, “We must abandon our comfort zones if we strive for unity between us”. “I saw there was a march and I was all for it”, Mechanical and Aerospace engineering student Kaleb Runte said, “ everyone needs to understand what Caileb is saying, we need unity and the only way we’re going to achieve it is by growing up and accepting one another” The events wrap up with MLK Virtual Keynote Address and Scholarship Winner Announcement on January 19th on Ostate tv, with Dr. Brandy Thomas Wells from OSU’s history department as the keynote speaker. Her work illuminates how members of the National Association of Colored Women Clubs (NACWC) and
Kayla Ballero
the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) pursued anti-colonial and anti-imperialist agendas, and how they communicated, cooperated, and competed in the overall quest for civil and human rights. Finally, on January 21st, the McKnight Center will be showing the movie Selma. This movie portrays a chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights in an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. In this event the winners of the art contest will also be revealed, but you can find the art of all the contestants in the basement of the student union. A great way to end a week of remembrance of a man who has fought for equal rights against injustice and prejudice in this country. We all need to remember the actions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and strive to make change not only in our community but everywhere we go. news.ed@ocolly.com
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Lifestyle
Human Science’s new name
File photo
Human sciences has a new name.
By Addie Duling Those searching for the Human Sciences building at the start of this new semester won’t find it by that name any longer. The building along with its western counterpart received a new name last fall in the latest action to honor civil rights pioneer Nancy Randolph Davis. Davis’ ties to Oklahoma State University go back to 1949 when she became the first African American student to attend then Oklahoma A&M College. Davis first attended Langston University and received
a degree in home economics. She graduated from OSU with her master’s in 1952. During that time, she also began teaching in the Oklahoma public schools. Davis was passionate about bringing home economics and aspects of household management such as food, clothing, relationships, etc., into the school system to improve her students’ lives. Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, Dr. Stephan Wilson, had the privilege to meet Nancy Randolph Davis in 2008. Wilson said he was excited to meet her because he had become aware that she was an Okla-
homa State alumna. “Over the years, I got to know Nancy Randolph Davis as a person, and she was much more impressive as a human being than as the historical figure she represented,” Wilson said. The reason the college was renamed after Davis, Wilson said, was because she is a “poster child” for the merging of the College of Human Sciences with the College of Education, Health and Aviation, which became official in July 2020. “[Davis] spent her adult career in public education, and she changed the trajectory of many of her students’ lives because of the special atten-
tion she gave to them,” Wilson said. “She cared passionately about her students as human beings and this embodies the logic behind merging the two colleges.” When Davis first attended OSU, the college she joined was predominantly female. At that time, Wilson said, women were figuratively pushed to the edge of the campus and thought of last in terms of resources. “Over its 100year history, the college gave voices to social issues and unwell represented groups and minorities. This became a point of heritage for the college and that’s why we decided to make a big deal out of Nancy Randolph Davis,” he said. Oklahoma State University has honored Davis many times for the active role she played in the civil rights movement in Oklahoma. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999, and in 2001 the residential Davis Hall was named after her. Davis received the College of Human Sciences’ Enhancing Human Lives Award in 2009, and she was inducted into the Greek Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2015, Davis died at the age of 88,
but OSU continued to honor the influence she had in the social changes in Oklahoma. Davis was added to OSU’s Hall of Fame in 2018. That same year, the state of Oklahoma recognized her by naming three miles of Interstate 35 west of Stillwater the Nancy Randolph Davis Memorial Highway. And in January 2019, a bronze statue of her was first displayed outside of the College of Human Sciences. Although Davis received numerous awards and recognitions, Wilson described her as extremely humble. “She would have been the first to say she wasn’t trying to make history, she was just trying to make the world a better place,” Wilson said. On the first of February, Oklahoma State University celebrates “Nancy Randolph Davis Day” with a ceremony including songs and speakers. On Nancy Randolph Davis Day this year, there will be a small, intimate candlelight service outside the sculpture of Davis to officially commemorate the building in her name. lifestyle.ed@ocolly.com
6 steps to having a successful spring semester By Amelia Jauregui After an abnormally long break in between semesters, it may be harder than normal to get back into the daily routine of a college student. Especially as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and yet in person attendance is required, the stress of students may be significantly more intense. However, there are ways in which students can best prepare themselves for a successful semester, even amidst a pandemic. Talk to your advisor(s): The job of an advisor is to literally give advice on what classes you should take and how to be successful as a student. If you are unsure about the purpose of specific classes, schedule an appointment and ask them. There is no harm in getting extra instruction and help from someone whose job is to do just that. Print out syllabi: Every professor is different and each will teach in their own
way. It is important to know what they expect of you, as well as be prepared for the type of work you will be doing throughout the semester. Printing out your syllabi and putting them in a place where you check them daily will keep you successful. Make a weekly schedule: Having a weekly schedule that shows all your assignments, due dates, and commitments will help you visualize the work that you will need to complete. When you are unsure of the stuff you need to do, it is very easy to become behind in your work, miss assignments, or important deadlines that are important to your college success. Email professors/ visit office hours: Your professors are here to both teach you and to help you. Most professors, if not all, want you to be successful in their classes, but there are ways you can help yourself out even more, especially in a virtual class. Introduce yourself to your professors as they want to get to know their students better.
This helps you build relationships better, as well as hopefully making you more comfortable when you may need to ask for help or for grace down the road. Find new or favorite study spots: Everyone studies differently, so it’s important to find a place that works for you. Some people like peace and quiet, some people like more active and talkative environments. Walk around campus and Stillwater in general, and find new places that excite you. Feeling good about your study habits will make you an overall better student. Reach out to classmates: Especially in a virtual world, it is more important than ever to still make connections with other students. By looking at your canvas, you are able to find other students in your course. If you have in person classes, especially reach out and make new friends, you never know who you’ll meet that will change your life. lifestyle.ed@ocolly.com
File Photo Students return to campus and prepare for in-person classes for the Spring 2021 semester
Page 6A Friday, January 22, 2021
Lifestyle
An international perspective By Jessie Hernandez Just as we were beginning to think the outside world was unattainable and distant due to the pandemic, it appeared at our university’s doorstep instead. The week before the spring semester began, exchange students from different locations around the globe arrived at OSU. Residing mostly in Iba hall, the Global Scholars Living Learning Program welcomed them with open arms. Some might be wondering, what brought them to Stillwater, Oklahoma? Was it the bright orange? Our beautiful campus? Okra? Meet some of the exchange students at OSU as they answer these questions, and make sure to say hello if you see them around campus.
“Loughborough University, my home institution, has a partnership with Oklahoma State University. I’ve wanted to study abroad in the USA ever since I was 16, and that opportunity was given to me by Loughborough. Oklahoma seemed like quite a cool place for its wild west history and I’m a big fan of basketball which is obviously way more popular here. Plus, I get to flex the English accent which is always a bonus,” Laurie Day, 21, from Oxford, England.
“I would like to say that Americans seem more welcoming than the French or maybe it’s because we have special treatment as exchange students. Something surprising I will say is how much you are attached and supportive with your university in sports or others. That’s nice that all students share something between them because that’s something we don’t have in France,” Léo Hivernat, 23, from
Toulouse France.
“It is a tough call between the weather and the community on campus, but I think the students and staff just about beat that. Everyone has been really friendly and genuine since I arrived in the states. They have always offered to help out whenever possible, whether that be for directions or to help explain something that was new to me. The one that comes to mind is when someone revealed what ‘bless your heart’ really meant. I’m very grateful that the exchange went ahead and have a lot to thank the study abroad office for. Here’s to a great spring semester,” Wilf Hutchings, 21, from London, United Kingdom.
“[I’m excited for] basically everything related to sports: gym, football--in the sense of soccer even though I love watching American Football but I never played it-- skiing and darts. Apart from that, I love cooking and discovering new places,” Jakob Rohr, 25, from Germany.
Lifestyle.ed@ocolly.com
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Oklahoma State’s Dee Mitchell dribbles the ball up the court during Texas Tech’s 78-50 win against OSU on Wednesday in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Zach Hake
Vine ripened Walmart helped make Dee Mitchell’s day special
Ryan Breeden Jen Burkett hurried Mike Boynton and his staff toward the back of the Sixth Avenue Walmart. It was a special day for Burkett, the
store manager. She was about to watch one of her best employees get a life-changing surprise. This past Sunday was the two-year mark since Dee Mitchell started working for Burkett, and now he was about to receive a full-ride scholarship inside her store. The moment meant so much to her that she came in on her day off
to make sure everything was perfect. “Probably around 2 O’clock, I had a management meeting, and I told them what was going on,” Burkett said. “I told them they could not ruin it because Dee was already at the store.” Burkett had been in contact with team personnel a few times before the big day. She was the only one
at Walmart who knew about the surprise until a few hours before it happened. Upon finding out, Burkett asked for new emergency contact info from Mitchell so she could facetime his mom and tell her what was going to happen. This was just one of several clever moves Burkett pulled off, including making a cake, decorating with bal-
loons and a banner and getting her managerial staff into OSU clothes. “We had to keep making sure we were sneaky anytime we went anywhere or came back with anything,” Burkett said. The ultimate challenge though was getting Mitchell into the right place for the surprise. See Vine on pg. 2B
Fighting the inevitable
Cowboys trying to avoid rust from shutdown
By Chris Becker It would have been nothing short of a miracle for Oklahoma State to make it through the season without being shut down from COVID-19. But it happened at a bad time for the Cowboys. The Cowboys were fresh off of a program defining win over then No. 6 Kansas heading into a Bedlam matchup. Unfortunately, a positive COVID-19 case inside of the program canceled
the matchup. “Bedlam, everybody’s excited to have an opportunity to play that game, but we also know the seriousness of the virus that is still out there,” coach Mike Boynton said. “We also have to be cognizant that that’s kind of making all the decisions for us. The virus is running our lives truly and that we’re going to try to adapt and adjust accordingly as we get through the rest of the year.” Boynton expected this time to hit at some point and knew the chances of it not happening were slim to none but frustrating nonetheless. See Fighting on pg. 2B
Image taken at OSUMBB’s win over Kansas on January 12, 2021 in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Page 2B Friday, January 22, 2021
sports
Vine Continued from pg. 1B
“Really frustrating, but it’s also the reality, right?” Boynton said. “There was no way we were getting through the season without it. I don’t think anybody will or has to this point. I don’t know how many teams haven’t been paused or stopped practice at least. It’s kind of something you expect.” OSU hasn’t practiced since last week due to the pause of team activities. With a game still scheduled for Saturday, the Cowboys won’t start practice until Wednesday at the earliest, which will give them, at most, three days to prepare to face No. 2 Baylor. The shutdown could allow some rust at fatigue from the grind of the season to settle in on top of Boynton not knowing how many bodies he will have available come Saturday. “You just hope that the kids are excited to play, understanding, because we’ve talked about there’s going to be disruptions,” Boynton said. “How do you handle it? How do you keep yourself mentally engaged in what we’re trying to do on the court but also taking care of your body, continuing to keep your conditioning up somehow, someway. The players are still allowed to come into the gym
Adam Luther OSU guard Dee Mitchell looks on before the Oklahoma State vs. No. 17 West Virginia men’s basketball game on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020 at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.
individually. Boynton said they’ve placed a treadmill and dumbbells in the gym, and the coaches try to get on Zoom to talk to the players. “There’s a lot of chal-
lenges, but we’re dealing with the same thing all 330 other teams in the country are dealing with. We’re not going to complain. We’ll be excited about the chance we get to get
back out there and our chance to continue to have an impact on these kids’ lives.” Sports.ed@ocolly.com
Image taken at OSUMBB’s win over Kansas on January 12, 2021 in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Fighting Continued from pg. 1B “Really frustrating, but it’s also the reality, right?” Boynton said. “There was no way we were getting through the season without it. I don’t think anybody will or has to this point. I don’t know how many teams haven’t been paused or stopped practice
at least. It’s kind of something you expect.” OSU hasn’t practiced since last week due to the pause of team activities. With a game still scheduled for Saturday, the Cowboys won’t start practice until Wednesday at the earliest, which will give them, at most, three days to prepare to face No. 2 Baylor. The shutdown could allow some rust at fatigue from the
grind of the season to settle in on top of Boynton not knowing how many bodies he will have available come Saturday. “You just hope that the kids are excited to play, understanding, because we’ve talked about there’s going to be disruptions,” Boynton said. “How do you handle it? How do you keep yourself mentally engaged in what we’re trying to do on the court but also taking care of your body, continuing to keep your conditioning up somehow, someway. The players are still allowed to come into the gym individually. Boynton
said they’ve placed a treadmill and dumbbells in the gym, and the coaches try to get on Zoom to talk to the players. “There’s a lot of challenges, but we’re dealing with the same thing all 330 other teams in the country are dealing with. We’re not going to complain. We’ll be excited about the chance we get to get back out there and our chance to continue to have an impact on these kids’ lives.”
Sports.ed@ocolly.com
sports
Click click click…scream The Cowgirls aren’t scared of ups and downs By Ben Hutchens
Keep hands and feet inside the Cowgirl coaster at all times. The OSU women’s basketball team has had a wild ride to start conference play. The Cowgirls began Big 12 play with five straight wins, winning each contest by an average of 17.8 points. The Cowgirls’ confidence was built through victories over West Virginia, Texas Tech and rival Oklahoma and had them looking like a top-tier Big 12 team. Then the “click, click, click” of the coaster stopped, and the violent downward descent started. In their last three games, the Cowgirls have gone winless, losing to No. 24 Iowa State, West Virginia and No. 8 Baylor. They have lost by an average of 12.3 points per game. “I thought we played pretty good at Iowa State, but you’re not going to win games giving up 90 (points),” OSU coach Jim Littell said, “And then (I) wasn’t happy at all with what we did at West Virginia and then (against Baylor) was a different type of problem.” The recent slide has been tough for the Cowgirls, but especially on team leader Natasha Mack. “It’s been difficult because even though I get down, I can’t let any of my teammates see it because my mood affects their mood, so I have to be uplifting, encouraging
Bruce Waterfield Image Taken at the Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Baylor Bears Women’s Basketball Game, Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, OK. Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
no matter what.” It is easy for players to get caught up in the emotional rollercoaster that is a college basketball season, but as Littell pointed out, the Cowgirls are not the only ones dealing with ups and downs. “Iowa State, everything’s run pretty smoothly for them and everything usually runs pretty smoothly for Baylor as well,” Littell said. “But everybody else has gone through a tough stretch.” When going through a challenging week or two of basketball activity, the only thing teams can do is to, quite literally, wake up the next day concerned with the future rather than the past. Mack said after a loss she allows herself one day to
pout and get her frustrations out, but when she wakes up the next day, she turns her sight to the next game on the schedule. The Cowgirls’ next game is Monday against Kansas State. Whether that game is the beginning of a new ascent or the continuation of their current descent, it is important to not overact to the whims of the season. “(The Cowgirls have) been coachable, there hasn’t been one player (who) questions anything that we’ve asked them to do,” Littell said. “They’ve been very connected as a group, and we’re going to be fine.” Littell said that the upcoming matchup against KState will be a huge game for
his team. Every conference game is important for OSU, but even more so when the team is in the midst of a slide. “How you handle this adversity defines you,” Littell said. “That’s why I love basketball and why I love athletics because everything in life’s not rosy, and you’re going to have some bad days. How you’re going to handle adversity and how you’re going to show your true colors and bounce back from being knocked down, and our kids have been knocked down three times, and we’ve got to come and be ready to play K-State.” Sports.ed@ocolly.com
Heavy lifting Harris’ jump to heavyweight class has led to undefeated start
Dean Ruhl
Austin Harris likes to keep you on the edge of your seat. The redshirt junior has gone unde-
feated in his first four matches this season, but each of those victories has been by three points or less, and two have been through wins in sudden victory. The Roseburg, Oregon, native is a victory away from matching his win total from last season, something he said has been a big confidence booster since moving up to the heavyweight class.
“I’ve been working hard and putting in some extra stuff this season, and it’s good to know that it’s paying off so far,” Harris said. Harris will take on Wyatt Hendrickson when the Cowboys face Air Force on Friday night, who was victorious in the Falcons’ only matchup this season against South Dakota State. The heavyweight
Two true freshmen have since stepped in and filled some of Harris’ former weights (Dustin Plott at 174 and AJ Ferrari at 197), and despite the initial struggle moving up to heavyweight, it would appear that Harris has found himself a new home at 285 this season. “I’m glad he’s getting some wins,” Smith said. “He’s being competitive at heavyweight, but I do think he wants more than that.” Sports.ed@ocolly.com
“
I never thought I would be going up to heavyweight, but I just went for it last year
“
Austin Harris studies his opponent against SIU-Edwardsville at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, Arkansas on Sunday January 17, 2021.
class is new to Harris, who made the jump up from 197 last season after a conversation with head coach John Smith at practice. This isn’t the first time Harris has moved up weight classes. Since he started his career at OSU, he bounced between 174 and 184, and then worked his way up to 197 and now heavyweight. “I never thought I would be going up to heavyweight, but I just went for it last year,” Harris said. “I’ve been lifting as much as I can and eating as much as I can on my diet.”
Page 4B Friday, January 22, 2021
sports
John Smith during the No. 9 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Pittsburgh wrestling dual on January 18, 2020 at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.
Adam Luther
Riding in style The comfort of a grueling road trip By Marcus Trevino Coach John Smith looked exhausted Sunday afternoon — almost as if he had just finished a match in the 1988 Olympics. He spent six hours
coaching his team in duals against SIUEdwardsville and Little Rock. COVID-19 protocols have limited OSU to wrestling once per week. Therefore, Smith scheduled two opponents for each dual meet in order to reach the desired number of matches in a season. The long day of coaching began at early dawn and didn’t end until the team
returned to Stillwater from Little Rock, Arkansas — a five-hour bus trip. Eighteen hour days are not easy, no matter the profession. But Smith said they’re no sweat compared to what he had to endure in the past. “I’d like for these boys to experience what I did when I was in college,” Smith said. “These guys are in a nice bus — it’s got
beds in it. These guys got it made easy.” Smith remembers the nights he had to sleep in a cold, empty gym because the wrestling program didn’t have the budget for a hotel. He remembers the road trips when 20 wrestlers had to stuff themselves into a 15-passenger van with their bags. “The good ol’ days,” Smith said. In reality, to-
day’s era of Oklahoma State wrestlers are in the “good ol’ days.” They’ll load themselves onto the buses after matches and sleep comfortably the entire ride home. “We went right to sleep, had a full night’s rest and got to practice the next day,” Austin Harris said. “Everyone was feeling good.” Sports.ed@ocolly.com
FOR RELEASE JANUARY 22, 2021
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Help Wanted Tulsa manufacturing company looking for
Business Squares “We are seeking sponsors for the new Little Free Library Stillwater Program! #LFLStillwater For more allied.arts@ okstate.edu
extra cash? Visit become a donor today! Located on Washington Street and open everydayeven weekends!” Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy! Located on Downtown Stillwater
Business Squares
Business Squares
4pm-9pm you can get steak, a side of your choice, and a salad bar, all for only $10 at Freddie
of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come
Visit us for more information at http:// freddiepauls.com or give us a call at 405-377-8777. See ya there!
Shop located on
Church Meetings
Free Wi-Fi, great place to study, free bottled water and keurig coffee! Fun board games and card games only walking distance
Join us every Sunday for our live streaming services! Matins @ 8:50am and Divine Liturgy @ 10:00am.”
Coffee House at 519 W. 3rd Ave is open
Join the
Come see us on campus corner and
Fellowship for service every Sunday at 10am and share in our passion for Jesus Christ!”
Furniture Showcase is Furniture & Mattress Store! Located in Downtown Stillwater, we can help you design any room. Visit http://Stillwater FurnitureShowcase.com to see more!
UKirk university group at First Presbyterian Church meets every week! Join us for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.! For more information or for Zoom access, visit us at stillwaterfpc.com
Promote your business here. Business Squares are a great way to get your business noticed. Call Lori at 744-7355 or email lori@ocolly.com
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Hard to rattle 6 Easy-to-read sign 10 Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and teammates 14 “The Metamorphosis” author 15 Big show 16 Miami Heat coach Spoelstra 17 Gather 18 Difficult golf shot? 20 Liftoff approx. 21 Approximately 23 “__, right?!” 24 Breakfast spot for golfers? 27 Deck chair wood 28 Sports standout 32 Ophthalmology concerns 34 Dismissive sound 37 Tool that only works in water 38 Low-quality golf equipment? 42 Número pequeño 43 WNBA broadcaster 44 Fretted fiddles 45 Easygoing folks 48 Desk set 49 Golf simulator shot? 55 State in two time zones 58 Wide variety 59 Italian diminutive suffix 60 Place to meet single golfers? 62 Soup veggies 64 Sporty Camaro 65 “That Is NOT a Good __!”: Mo Willems children’s book 66 Food pkg. info 67 Like dungeons, typically 68 Support at sea 69 Makes more bearable DOWN 1 Made tracks? 2 Non __: not so much, in music
1/22/21
By Bruce Haight
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
3 One working a security detail, perhaps 4 Mike and __: candy 5 “Fast & Furious” staple 6 Indira Gandhi’s father 7 __ change 8 Harpo Productions CEO 9 Go-ahead 10 German chancellor since 2005 11 “The Night Circus” novelist Morgenstern 12 Record for later 13 Slant 19 Pickle herb 22 HP product 25 Nerdy type 26 Stable supply 29 Top choices 30 Fidel’s successor 31 Golf balls, e.g. 32 Salacious stuff 33 Lilliputian 34 Indian VIPs 35 Clotheshorse
©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
36 First answer in the first-ever published crossword 39 Polite assent 40 All of us 41 POTUS, per Article II, Section 2 46 Payment option 47 Uncultured one 48 Soup veggie
1/22/21
50 __ Express: fast-food chain 51 Impulses 52 Pick up the tab 53 Dazzled 54 Formally records, as a golf score 55 “Look what __!” 56 Uber CEO Khosrowshahi 57 Oodles 61 Asset in darts 63 Mauna __
Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (01/22/21). You’re the star this year. Generate desired results with focused, consistent attention. A winter of intimate virtual connection inspires a social shift next summer, leading to a phase of fun and romance. Savor feasts, parties and socializing next winter. You’re developing valuable skills, passions and talents. 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 an 8 — An unexpected and potentially lucrative opportunity is worth pursuit. Obstacles and challenges
Level 1
2
3
4
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Follow your own drummer. dream. Avoid controversy or hassle. Keep things simple. Invent new possibilities. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Slow to reconsider plans. The potential for error is high. You can meet the challenge. Meditate on a puzzle. Consider the situation from another perspective. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Wait until major obstacles have past, before advancing a team project. Don’t believe everything you hear. Ignore rumors and gossip. Avoid arguments. Support your team. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Focus on the job at hand. Misunderstandings arise without provocation. Don’t waste money trying to buy favor. Abandon preconceptions. Patiently persuade with clear arguments. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Make a long-distance connection. Let someone draw you into a different world. Travel obstacles abound. Avoid risk. Learn something new. Make bold discoveries. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Shop carefully. The savings makes staying home worthwhile. Guard and grow family resources. BarriScorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Adapt to unplanned surFind a solution that works for both. Compromise. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Slow the pace or risk an accident. Unexpected bumps line the road. Physical efforts get positive results. Prioritize health and wellness. Balance with extra rest. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — When in doubt, choose the option that’s more fun. Relax and enjoy familiar comforts. Avoid risky propositions and focus on creative passions, arts and games. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Wait for developments on a domestic matter. Don’t try to force anything, or risk breakage. You don’t have the full picture. Provide family support. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Monitor an ongoing situation to adapt to breaking news. Share and connect to get the inside scoop. Let others know about your discoveries.
1/22/21
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.
Page 6B Friday, January 22, 2021