The O'Colly Feb. 5, 2026

365 days of Hess

Coon

Caleson

ASSISTANT NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Jim Hess has been Oklahoma State University’s 20th president for 365 days.

Hess, following the resignation of former president Kayse Shrum, was named interim president before it became official. However, his time at OSU began well before his presidency, with him earning a doctorate from OSU and going on

Judge orders evidentiary hearing in Jesse Butler case over victims’ rights challenge

A Payne County judge has scheduled an evidentiary hearing in the case of Jesse Butler after victims filed a motion alleging their constitutional rights were violated during court proceedings.

During a scheduling hearing

Tuesday, District Judge Michael Kulling found there were significant factual disputes between attorneys representing the state, the defense and the victims regarding how the case was handled. Because of

those disputes, Kulling ordered an evidentiary hearing beginning April 13. The hearing stems from a verified motion filed by attorneys for the victims seeking enforcement of their rights under Marsy’s Law, an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that guarantees crime victims the right to be notified of court proceedings, consulted before plea agreements and treated with fairness and respect.

See BUTLER on page 2A

to work in higher education for 40plus years.

In 1975, Hess’ first employed role at OSU was shoveling stalls at the College of Veterinary Medicine. He later became vice president and chief operating officer for OSU-

Tulsa from 1999 to 2003, when he doubled enrollment and launched the Big Orange Bus shuttle service in 2001. In 2023, Hess was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame on Nov. 6.

See HESS on page 7A

IRSA brings awareness

Caleson Coon ASSISTANT

&

The Iranian Student Association of Oklahoma State University hosted an awareness event to inform others about the crisis still occurring in Iran.

President of IRSA, Ahmad Salehiyan, said IRSA is trying to let others know what is happening in Iran, as he hopes this is the last time a tragedy such as this one occurs in his country.

“We try to be the voice of the people who are in Iran, and you

know, fighting with their life and bare hands,” Salehiyan said. “And just, you know, paying for the basic freedom with their life, unfortunately.”

The crisis in Iran began as Iranians protested changes in the economy, but has since evolved into a protest for a regime change to replace the Islamic Republic with a democratic government.

The protests have led to more than 36,500 deaths of Iranians at the hands of its government.

See IRSA on page 2A

people were lost in the process,” Salehiyan said.

IRSA displayed multiple photos of those who have lost their lives and had signs that had been made with sayings on them such as “+35,600” and “My favorite season is Fall of the regime.”

“We lost lots of innocent people, most of them are talented and most of them were graduates and really good people,” Salehiyan said. “By showing those images and videos, we wanted to show our heroes.”

A slideshow of 10 Iranian humans who were killed was shared that began with a statement, “Say Their Name” and ended with “We shared 10 names today, there are more than 35,000.”

“We just wanted to talk about how many losses that we had, and how many innocent people, and brave

On This day

When referring to these lost lives as their heroes, Salehiyan mentioned the story of one of the 10–a firefighter who was displayed on a video was shot by the Islamic Republic Regime, while carrying wounded people to safety.

In addition to the presentation were various speakers, both members of IRSA and outside voices. The speakers spoke and prepared slides from the beginning of Iran’s history to the current crisis.

IRSA shared The Lion and Son National Revolution, which represents the current uprising in Iran; reference to the country’s pre-revolution, ancient flag.

“We’re just trying to give awareness to other students and other people–that our government is not represented by Iranian people,” Salehiyan said.

2003. 23 years ago.

Willham North is tentatively scheduled to close in the fall 2003 semester.

IRSA plans to continue to be the voice of Iran by attending a large protest happening in Los Angeles next Saturday and hosting more on-campus events and meetings so students and faculty members can come and talk about the crisis.

The hope in continuing protests and events is so that the people of Iran may gain more support by senators and authorities in the U.S., along with spreading the message that Iranians do not wish to have conflict with other countries, but live in peace.

“We are peaceful people that, unfortunately, ended up living in the dark side of our history,” Salehiyan said. “Islam Republic Regime conquered our country, but we hope that we take it back as soon as possible–we’re doing our best here, and we honor those people who are fighting in our home country.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

According to court records, all parties submitted legal arguments and proposed statements of facts ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, as required by a prior court order. After reviewing the filings, Kulling determined the disagreements could not be resolved through written submissions alone.

As a result, the court will hold a hearing in which witnesses may testify and evidence may be presented to determine whether the victims’ rights were violated during the handling of the case.

Butler, who was charged in 2025 with multiple sexual assault-related offenses, received a youthful offender disposition that included supervision, counseling and community service rather than prison time. The outcome drew criticism from community members and victims’ advocates.

The April hearing will focus specifically on whether the prosecution and court complied with constitutional requirements in communicating with and involving the victims before the case was resolved.

The evidentiary hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. April 13 at the Payne County Courthouse.

news.ed@ocolly.com

New campus housing will take the place of the 591 beds located in Willham North.

Eddie Denman, assistant director for business and administration services in residential life at Oklahoma State University, said, “We are going to open the rest of Bennett, Stout Hall and one new set of suites.”

“Between all three areas, we are adding 1,017 new beds to the OSU housing system, and last fall we opened with only 591 students in Willham North.”

The new additions will leave the university with an excess of 426 beds, he said.

“Even if we were to increase occupancy by 400 students for next fall, we still would not need Willham North,” Denman said.

“Besides, student would rather stay in the new campus housing rather than the old housing.”

ANDREW WILLIAMS | SENIOR STAFF WRITER, 2003

Co-Editors-in-Chief Bryson Thadhani & Parker

Design

Social

Butter Churning Club builds community one jar at a time

On Wednesday nights in Ag Hall, Tatum Johnson leads dozens of students shaking mason jars into butter and belonging.

Inside a large classroom, music plays softly as students twist open lids, pour heavy whipping cream into glass jars and begin shaking. Some settle into a steady rhythm. Others laugh when their arms start to burn. A few stop to compare progress, holding jars up to the light to see whether the cream has thickened enough.

At the front of the room, Johnson moves between tables, refilling jars, answering questions and reminding new members not to pour their butter down the drain with the buttermilk.

“Keep the butter at the bottom,” she tells them. “Don’t lose it.”

Johnson, the president of Oklahoma State’s Butter Churning Club, did not expect to end up leading one of the university’s largest student organizations.

She joined as a freshman because she needed to be involved in something outside of Greek life. The club seemed simple. There were no demanding requirements. There were no expensive dues. Students met, made butter and left.

“I thought it would be fun,” Johnson said. “It didn’t have a ton of crazy requirements or dues or anything.”

At her first meeting, she expected a small group. Instead she walked into a room with more than 50 students.

“It was kind of silly and goofy,” she said. “But I really liked it because it was very inclusive. Anyone could be a part of it.”

Johnson kept coming back. By her junior year, she decided she wanted to be more involved. She applied for vice president. When the slate was released, the number of applicants matched the number of available positions. She was asked if she wanted to be president instead.

She said yes.

Now every other week, Johnson and the club’s executive team arrive early to set up carts filled with cream, seasonings and mason jars. Members check in at the door. Officers share announcements. A slide explains how to make butter for first-time attendees. The flavor of the week is revealed.

Then the shaking begins.

“We play music,” Johnson said. “They churn butter, talk, hang out. They can add flavors, eat it and leave whenever they’re done.”

Most meetings last about an hour. Making the butter takes five to 15 minutes depending on how much cream is used

and how fast someone shakes.

“It’s all on the wrist,” said Savannah McClure. “You just gotta shake.”

McClure, the club’s philanthropy director, joined as a freshman after hearing about it from sorority sisters. At first, she attended casually. Later, she became more involved and joined the executive board.

“It was really chill,” McClure said. “You could stay for the whole meeting or just make your butter and leave.”

She said the meetings feel more like social gatherings than formal obligations.

“It’s just a conversation hour, but you’re doing something while you do it,” McClure said.

That balance between structure and informality is part of what keeps members returning.

“There’s no pressure,” said

academic pressure.

“It’s an escape from my academics,” Font said. “A way to be closer to my friends.”

McClure echoed that sentiment, calling the organization a consistent presence in her college experience.

“It’s always been there,” she said. “I always know someone there.”

Johnson said that sense of community reflects how she was raised.

“I grew up in a family where you include everyone,” she said. “Being a part of this helps me express that here.”

While meetings appear casual, the work behind them is more demanding.

Johnson said the executive team holds regular planning sessions. They coordinate supplies, reserve rooms and work with CampusLink.

“You could stay for the whole meeting or just make your butter and leave.”

SAVANNAH MCCLURE

DIRECTOR

PHILANTHROPY

CLUB

BUTTER

Gabriela Font. “You just come there with your friends and have fun.”

Font, the club’s vice president and marketing director, first joined after seeing the organization at the Student Involvement Fair. She expected it to be a casual activity. Instead she found herself managing social media accounts and helping organize meetings.

“It was very drastic,” she said. “Now it’s a lot of work compared to just going to meetings.”

Despite the increased responsibility, Font said the environment remains relaxed.

“It’s super chill,” she said. “There’s no stress at all.”

For many members, the club serves as a break from

They collaborate with other organizations and participate in campus events.

During homecoming season, those responsibilities multiply.

In October, the club pumped a 10-foot butter stick for the homecoming parade. Members spent weeks working in a garage, often staying up all night.

“It was a lot of work,” Johnson said. “But when we finished, everyone was like, ‘This was so worth it.’”

McClure and Font also cited homecoming as their favorite memories.

“It was super fun,” Font said. “A bunch of late nights, but worth it.”

McClure, who served as homecoming director, used skills from Greek life to

organize the project. She mapped designs, coordinated materials and trained members unfamiliar with pomp.

“That was my whole life until November,” she said.

The workload sometimes leads to burnout.

“Last semester was rough,” McClure said. “Things kept going wrong. But everyone was struggling together.” Johnson said she has moments where the responsibility feels overwhelming.

“Sometimes it’s a lot of work,” she said. “And part of me thinks, ‘it’s a butter club.’”

She paused, then laughed.

“But that’s almost reassuring,” she said. “We’ll figure it out.”

That mindset helped the group recover from a major setback last year, when officers missed a required sweepstakes form for homecoming and were disqualified after completing every other requirement.

“It was heartbreaking,” Johnson said. “But it was still worth it.”

Mistakes also happen during meetings. New members sometimes pour their butter out with the buttermilk.

Others stop shaking too early.

“We just give them more cream and let them try again,” Johnson said.

The club’s most popular flavor is modeled after Texas Roadhouse butter, made with honey and cinnamon. Johnson prefers garlic and herb.

McClure favors cranberry walnut. Font chooses garlicbased flavors.

Some members eat their butter on bread. Others use spoons.

“We mainly use it for eating,” Johnson said. “It hurts my arms, so I want to taste it.”

The buttermilk is usually discarded.

“It’s lukewarm buttermilk,” McClure said. “We don’t really know what to do with it.”

Despite the playful atmosphere, the organization

takes pride in its size. Johnson said the club has nearly 400 members, with 40 to 50 attending most meetings.

“When I tell people, they don’t believe me,” she said. “They’re like, ‘That’s not real.’” She enjoys proving them wrong.

“I’m proud of it,” Johnson said. “It’s something I brag about.”

Font said the club fills a gap on campus.

“It’s a contrast to really intense organizations,” she said. “Students don’t have to be pressured to go.”

Members say that accessibility is key. A $30 one-time fee covers four years of participation, supplies and graduation cords.

Graduating seniors receive cords in yellow, gray and brown, representing butter, salt and bread.

Initiation ceremonies are kept secret.

“You have to get initiated,” Johnson said, smiling. “Secret.”

Looking ahead, all three leaders hope to see continued growth.

Johnson wants higher meeting attendance. McClure hopes more members take leadership roles. Font wants expanded collaborations. They also hope alumni remain connected.

“I didn’t really have anyone to guide me,” Johnson said. “I’d like to help next year’s officers.”

For Johnson, the club has become central to her college life.

“This is mainly what I do now,” she said.

What started as a required extracurricular has become a defining experience, built around shaking jars, sharing bread and showing up every other week.

“It’s silly,” Johnson said. “It’s goofy.”

She smiled.

“But it matters.”

Top moments from the 2026 Grammy Awards

Ashley Yarbrough STAFF REPORTER

The 68th Grammy Awards continued the 2026 awards season Feb. 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, honoring the year’s top artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Bad (Benito Ocasio) Bunny and Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta).

From political statements to recordbreaking wins and controversial fashion, the ceremony sparked widespread discussion online and across the music industry.

Bad Bunny makes history, delivers political message

Several artists used their acceptance speeches to address social and political issues, including Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean.

Bad Bunny made history by winning Album of the Year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” becoming the first Spanish-language artist to receive the award.

During his speech, he highlighted his family and heritage and addressed immigration and enforcement policies.

“We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens,” he said. “We are humans and we are Americans.”

Bad Bunny is also scheduled to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show this coming Sunday.

Controversial looks dominate red carpet

Bold fashion choices dominated the red carpet, with several outfits sparking debate online.

Chappell (Kayleigh Amstats) Roan drew widespread attention for wearing a sheer dress held together by faux piercings, dividing fans on social media. Known for her unconventional style, Roan has previously made headlines for confronting paparazzi and wearing a cone-shaped hat at last year’s ceremony.

Despite criticism, Roan said she did not view the outfit as outrageous.

Justin Bieber also generated attention with his wardrobe choice

SWE empowering women in CEAT

Marcus Mesis STAFF REPORTER

One of the 500-plus clubs at Oklahoma State is the Society of Women Engineers, which aims to empower women in science, technology and engineering fields.

The organization, which is open to students in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, also assists members in developing leadership and professional skills.

“I think it’s a really great society to join because our entire purpose is lifting up women in engineering,” said SWE president Morrow Entrekin, who is studying industrial engineering and management.

SWE has monthly meetings with speakers who talk about what it’s like being a minority in CEAT-related fields. Additionally, the club hosts one fun event each month, a more lighthearted way to connect with other female students.

“Everyone we bring in (as a speaker) is to your benefit; every activity we do is so you can meet other women in engineering,” Entrekin said. “Our whole goal is just creating that community for the women in engineering.”

A mentorship program pairs younger students with older ones, helping the newer members get acclimated. Each month, the organization highlights a member of the month who receives a gift card.

“I’ve been in the mentorship program since I started here, and I’ve been with the same mentor since I started here,” said Grace Stringfield, a biosystems engineering sophomore.

“Just having that relationship I think has been a really good thing for me.”

The organization also has philanthropic opportunities for members to get volunteer experience.

SWE will partner with local girl scouts this semester after volunteering last semester with the Stillwater Humane Society and with food pantries.

March 1 is SWE Day, when female students from local schools are given a tour of the Endeavor Facility. There also are interactive labs for the students to get hands-on experience with what engineering is like.

SWE also puts on a formal for engineering students, but it is open to students from the entire college as well. This year’s formal is scheduled for April 25.

news.ed@ocolly.com

‘Iron Lung’ proves indie vision remains relevant

Cayden James STAFF REPORTER

In a month filled with studiobacked releases such as “The Rip” and “Mercy,” seeing a film driven by clear creative vision feels refreshing.

That is what makes “Iron Lung” stand out.

Upon its release, “Iron Lung” reached No. 1 at the box office, surpassing “Send Help” by Sam Raimi.

Caroline Kaplan also stands out, holding her own alongside Troy Baker and Seán (Jacksepticeye) McLaughlin. Kaplan performance adds depth to the film’s darker moments.

The technical elements further elevate the experience.

during his performance of “Yukon,” appearing on stage in lavender boxers and socks from his brand, Skylrk.

Online discussion followed, with some users noting a perceived double standard in how Roan and Bieber’s outfits were received.

Kendrick Lamar becomes most awarded rapper

Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys, surpassing Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) as the most awarded rapper in history.

He received awards for Best Rap Album for “GNX” and Record of the Year for “Luther.”

“I’m not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music,” Lamar said. “Hip hop is always going to be right here.”

Lamar also won Best Rap Performance, Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.

‘Wildflower’ wins Song of the Year

Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” won Song of the Year despite being released on her 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft.

The song competed against 2025 releases such as “Abracadabra,” “DtMF,” “Luther” and “Manchild.”

After being re-released to radio in February 2025, the Recording Academy reconsidered the track for eligibility.

Eilish used her speech to encourage activism and resilience.

“It’s really hard to know what to say and what to do right now,” she said. “I feel really hopeful in this room, and we need to keep fighting and speaking up.”

Lola Young earns emotional first win

Lola Young won her first Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy,” defeating artists including Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber.

Surprised by the win, Young appeared emotional and unprepared for her speech.

The ceremony also marked her return to the stage during the Best New Artist medley following a health scare in September 2025.

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For an independent film based on a niche video game, that achievement is impressive. The bigger question is whether the movie succeeds on its own merits.

Directed by Mark (Markiplier) Fiscbach, the horror and sciencefiction adaptation is based on a game with the same name by David Szymanski. It follows a convicted prisoner forced to pilot a submarine through a desolate moon to collect government samples, for the government.

The premise is simple, but the execution is effective.

“Iron Lung” excels at building atmosphere. From the opening scenes, the film creates a sense of isolation and claustrophobia that mirrors the protagonist’s experience. The audience feels trapped inside the vessel, unsure of what waits outside.

That tension is supported by strong performances.

Markiplier delivers one of his most convincing roles to date, showing emotional range and vulnerability.

The score by Andrew Hulshult and sound design by Brad Engleking are especially effective. Long stretches without dialogue rely entirely on sound or music, placing viewers in an uncomfortable and suspenseful environment. These silent moments are among the film’s strongest.

The production also set a record for fake blood usage, surpassing the 2013 “Evil Dead” remake. Rather than feeling excessive, the effect is used strategically to heighten the film’s intensity.

Still, the movie may not appeal to everyone. Much of its core audience comes from Markiplier’s fan base. For viewers unfamiliar with the game or who don’t like abstract storytelling, the pacing and tone may feel slow or confusing.

Nevertheless, “Iron Lung” succeeds where many studio releases struggle. It feels unrestrained. It does not resemble a product shaped by corporate focus groups. Instead, it reflects a creative vision driven by passion and risk.

In a crowded sci-fi and horror landscape, that alone makes it worth watching.

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Behind the posts, Arric weighs every word

Bryson Thadhani CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rachel Arric did not sit still for long during her interview.

She shifted in her chair. Twisted her hands together. Picked at the edge of her sleeve. Tapped her foot lightly against the floor. Every few seconds, some small movement signaled nervous energy. But every time a question came, she locked in. She leaned forward. Thought for a moment. Then answered fully.

For someone who helps run a social media account followed by over 15,000 of people, Arric does not project the image of someone constantly chasing attention. She does not perform with confidence. She does not oversell herself. If anything, she seems more concerned with getting things right than getting things loud.

That attention to detail shows up in how Arric approaches posting.

She thinks about timing. About tone. About whether something sounds natural or forced. About whether it fits the voice of the account or just her own.

Caring about the work does not mean letting every reaction dictate how she feels about it.

Arric has learned to separate effort from backlash.

“Do I feel a personal responsibility? No,” Arric said. “I mean, I think some people would, I don’t. I thought the Python arm thing was really funny.”

She was referring to a post from Feb. 12, 2025, when the Barstool Chicks account shared an article from BroBible about Oklahoma State baseball player Garret Shull and his unusually large throwing arm. The story, which dubbed him “Python Arms,” circulated online. The Chicks account reposted it. Some users laughed. Others questioned whether it crossed a line.

Arric did not see it that way.

“I was like, ‘Why are you getting mad at me for this?’” Arric said. “This was meant to be funny and lighthearted.”

For Arric, the post fit what the account tries to do. Find something strange, entertaining or uniquely campus-related and put it in front of people who already care about OSU. But once something goes public, it stops belonging to the person who posted it.

That is the reality of the job.

Every caption, graphic and repost is instantly judged by thousands of people who do not know the person behind the screen.

Sometimes that judgment is positive. Sometimes it is indifferent. Sometimes it is harsh.

And sometimes, the hardest part is when nothing happens at all.

“Sometimes you post stuff and it just flops,” Arric said. “It’ll be like 50 likes. The engagement will almost be negative. You’re like, ‘Was that really only funny in my head?’”

For someone who puts creative energy into each post, low engagement can feel personal even when it is not meant to be.

Arric said she has learned not to rely only on analytics. Instead, she uses people she trusts as a sounding board.

“I will text my friends and be like, ‘Is this funny? Does this make sense?’” Arric said.

“Sometimes I’ll be like, ‘Does this sound like it’s coming from me too much? Does this sound like something Chicks would think is funny, not just Rachel?’”

That question reflects the tension built into her role.

She is supposed to be herself.

But she is also supposed to represent a brand.

She is supposed to be creative. But she is also supposed to be consistent.

She is supposed to be relatable. But she is also supposed to be careful.

Finding that balance is not something anyone teaches.

Arric learned by doing the job.

For more than a year, she largely did it alone.

“I’m an only child, and I like to do things by myself,” Arric said. “I did Barstool by myself for like a year and a half.”

At first, that independence felt natural. She was used to managing her own schedule. Making her own decisions. Solving her own problems.

Running the account alone meant she controlled the voice, the timing and the direction. Nothing went up unless she approved it.

But over time, that independence became isolating.

“In life, you can’t do it by yourself,” Arric said. “You’re never going to be anywhere as successful doing something by yourself as you are with a team.”

She learned that asking for help did not mean losing control. It meant gaining perspective.

Working with others allowed her to see how different people interpret humor, tone and audience reaction. It also meant she did not have to carry the account alone.

Beyond teamwork, the role taught her professional skills she did not expect.

“It taught me how to reach out and network to people,” Arric said. “I’m grateful for the platform Barstool has given me to be able to reach out and network.”

Those opportunities come from the structure of Barstool’s college network.

That network is overseen by Gino Fornaro, an Oklahoma State alum who founded the OSU Barstool account as a student, and now coordinates hundreds of campus accounts across the country.

Fornaro ran the OSU account for six years, including two years in graduate school. During that time, he grew it from a few thousand followers into one of the most prominent fan-run platforms on campus.

“There’s few and far between where you can hand a 20-yearold an account and say, ‘Here’s 100,000 followers. Go be great,’”

Fornaro said. “It’s a resume builder.”

He said the program is designed to give students real experience managing a large audience.

But it does not come with a rulebook.

“There is no one guidebook,” Fornaro said. “It’s trial by fire.”

Each campus has its own culture. Each audience responds differently. What works at Alabama might fail at Oklahoma State. What goes viral one semester might fall flat the next.

Fornaro said the key is understanding what makes each campus unique.

“Oklahoma State fans are very loyal,” he said. “They want to know everything.”

He contrasted that with schools like Alabama, where success is expected and scrutiny is different.

Those differences shape how accounts operate.

Fornaro also emphasized that Barstool’s strength lies in its attention to small moments.

“ESPN is going to post the big highlights,” Fornaro said. “We find the guy in the crowd doing something ridiculous.”

That philosophy carries into Chicks.

According to Fornaro, the Chicks account exists to represent a female voice within a brand that is often perceived as male-dominated.

“People kind of think Barstool is frat guys drinking beer,” he said. “They forget there’s a female side to it.”

Chicks is meant to highlight that side.

“It should be from a female perspective,” Fornaro said.

That does not mean avoiding sports. It means framing campus life differently.

Certain trends, humor styles and cultural moments resonate more strongly with the Chicks audience.

Arric works inside that space while trying not to force anything.

She does not see herself as representing an ideology. She sees herself as responding to what students are talking about.

Still, she knows the brand’s

reputation follows her.

She does not dismiss criticism of Barstool’s past.

But she also does not feel responsible for the company’s entire history.

“I think Barstool is a great organization,” she said. “They stand on what they believe.”

For her, the focus remains local.

The main OSU Barstool account operates separately from Chicks but works closely with it.

Joshua Morallo, one of the primary administrators, described the job as constant mental work.

“All day was thinking about what posts we could put up,” Morallo said. “What’s trending. How we could cater it.”

He said fall semesters can be especially difficult.

“If you have a bad football season, it goes downhill pretty quick,” Morallo said.

When attention fades, creativity matters.

Morallo said he aimed to post at least once a day. He balanced submissions with original content.

“I wanted some graphic stuff,” he said. “To show we could build things.”

Morallo also described how he became emotionally invested in the account after a personal breakup.

“I just made the account the thing I do,” Morallo said.

For him, the platform became a creative outlet.

Jack Surrette, another administrator, plays a different role.

He specializes in video editing and daily monitoring.

“I spend all day on it,” Surrette said. “Checking DMs. Analytics. Submissions.”

He said he often creates “filler” content when nothing obvious is happening.

“If something funny’s on your mind, just put it together,” Surrette said.

The team communicates constantly.

“It’s like, ‘This is up. Anybody on this?’” Surrette said.

That structure allows Arric to focus on her voice without being isolated.

The job has also changed how Arric views social media.

“As a marketing major, marketing doesn’t work on me,” she said. “You can see what they’re doing.”

Being behind the scenes revealed how carefully content is planned and tested.

She also gained exposure to professionals through meetings and calls.

“You realize they’re just normal people,” Arric said.

That made the industry feel reachable.

At one point, Arric considered working for Barstool after graduation.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity,” Arric said. That changed.

“I’m looking more toward corporate sales,” Arric said. “Events.”

Even so, she sees her experience as valuable.

“It’s the reason I get most of my interviews,” Arric said. Fornaro said that outcome is common.

He estimated that about 30% of full-time employees were once viceroys.

But he emphasized that the program’s value goes beyond jobs.

“It’s about the people,” he said. That theme appears across the OSU team.

Morallo talks about passion.

Surrette talks about community impact.

Arric talks about growth.

“It taught me to stand for what you believe in,” Arric said. “Ride for it.”

During the interview, she continued to fidget. Continued to think. Continued to choose her words carefully.

She did not talk about “building a brand.”

She talked about learning.

She talked about teamwork.

She talked about confidence. Before every post, she still asks the same question.

“Is this funny?” she said. It sounds simple.

It is not.

When thousands of people are watching, one question can carry a lot of weight.

2026 National women in sports day

WOMEN ON THE SIDELINES AND IN THE PRESS BOX

The O’Colly has a long history of women in sports, and this year is no different. This page is dedicated to the women on staff who are covering games, telling stories and building careers in a male-dominated field. Their work shows up in photos, videos, headlines and bylines each week. Today, we recognize the impact they make on our newsroom and in our community.

news.ed@ocolly.com

SMSC professors attempt to improve rural journalism

Marcus Mesis STAFF REPORTER

Two Oklahoma State professors were recognized as Faculty Champions from the Center for Community News.

Professors Rosemary Avance and Andrew Abernathy were recognized and will join a yearlong fellowship that provides research funding and opportunities to network. The goal of the fellowship is to increase student reporting in local communities.

In the beginning of his presidency, Hess stepped into the mismanagement of $41 million with the Innovation Foundation, which he soon made the decision to discontinue funding due to the issues.

In his first year of presidency, Hess released the ideas for his vision of what he plans to be the future of OSU:

Expanding scholarships for students and keeping OSU accessible to all students

• Raising historic student scholarship support to expand access to a world-class OSU education and reduce financial barriers, while improving retention and boosting graduation rates.

Transforming student experience

To implement career readiness plans beginning in students’ freshman year with early career assessments to match strengths with potential careers.

Each student having two dedicated counselors. An academic counselor for degree planning and a career readiness counselor for post-graduation preparation.

• Training in-demand skills with early resume-building and interview preparation.

• Strengthening the OSU family connection by pairing each student with an alumni mentor for guidance and career networking.

Strengthening the support of mental health

• To protect student well-being as a moral duty, Hess plans to emphasize emotional wellness as a key to academic success and position OSU as a “home away from home.”

• Removing barriers to mental health support by consolidating OSU counseling services under one “virtual umbrella” with a “master appointment system” for a quick, easy access to the resources.

• Initiate a mental health task force, and launching Cowboys

Care mental health campaign by Angela Hess. The launch of Cowboys Care was Aug. 15, aimed to serve OSU students, faculty and staff. It includes clinical counseling, health services, wellness and prevention programs and a student support system, as well as encouraging the students to look out for one another and to seek help when needed. Building a unified OSU system specific to Stillwater. Intended to connect all OSU campuses and partner institutions through a unified and strategic vision.

• Ensuring all students feel part of the Cowboy family. Standardizing admissions, registration, payment and advising processes.

• Simplifying transfers and continuing education and resource access across campuses.

• Increasing access without requiring relocation and expanding upper-division coursework opportunities for place-bound students at partner campuses.

Renewing the Land-Grant mission

• Enhance research, instruction and extension services to deliver practical solutions statewide.

• Drive innovation that directly improves the lives of Oklahomans in all 77 counties.

Hess has also made a historic impact on May 29, 2025 by securing a $250 million state funding appropriation investment to support the construction of a new, state-ofthe-art veterinary teaching hospital. It was the largest state appropriation in university history. It will support more than 150 students compared to the existing hospital that serves only 60 students. The investment directly supports OSU’s land-grant mission to serve the state’s needs.

The latest achievement of Hess was the launch of The Code Calls — the $2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign on Nov. 13, 2025. The aim is to transform lives, strengthen communities and elevate OSU’s impact across the state and beyond through private support. It is a direct nod to the Cowboy Code.

news.ed@ocolly.com

The fellowship and the award are from the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont. The center is a nonpartisan nonprofit that works to strengthen and grow nationwide universityled reporting programs to create a more sustainable future for local news outlets communities. It is the only organization that is dedicated growing student-powered community reporting.

The professors were selected because of their applied research about rural access to local news. They also were a part of a community journalism project that got OSU students to make community reporting better.

Avance’s and Aberthany’s research explores areas in Oklahoma that are called news deserts, which are areas with few or no traditional news organizations. The research looks at how rural sustainability can be enchanted by rethinking local reporting.

“Most rural communities in our state don’t have a local newsroom with the bandwidth to publish frequently, if they have one at all,” Avance said in a press release. “Residents of these areas share daily happenings via word of mouth, especially on social media. This can be a great way to get information quickly.

“Still, it’s not always ideal for in-depth, objective reporting to record and translate political, social, economic and other issues that directly affect residents.”

Avance completed Oklahoma’s first observational study of the state’s news media ecosystem and gathered data on access to local news in underserved communities.

Jared Johnson, the School of Media and Strategic Communication Director, understands that local information can be hard to come by.

“The work of these two champions will improve Oklahoma communities,” Johnson said.“It is exactly the kind of work we should be engaged in at a land-grant institution. We appreciate the efforts of the Center for Community News to connect people with stories from their own communities.”

The faculty champions receive $1,000, peer support and coaching throughout the year. The faculty champions will be a part of CCN expanded Champions Programs working in cohorts organized around beats, communities and geographic regions. CCN director Richard Watts is a part of the leadership of the fellowship.

“At the core of all of these university-led student reporting programs are innovative and entrepreneurial faculty committed to student success,” Watts said. “These programs are a win-win for everyone: Students receive highimpact experiences and communities benefit from more reliable news. This program is a chance to say thank you to the faculty who make it all possible.”

The goal that Avance has for the program is to give opportunities to strengthen students’ awareness of what they are able to do in local communities.

“Our work champions a strong media literacy curriculum and a respect for the role of good information in a democracy,” Avance said. “We want to provide professional opportunities for young people as they become aware of the roles they can play in their own communities.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

A year with Hess

Friday, February 6, 2026

Morris focusing on building relationships with newcomers

Parker Gerl

Eric Morris recently moved into his Stillwater home, but the house is far from being properly furnished.

All Morris currently has at his property is a mattress, a TV, a case of water and a towel he snagged from Oklahoma State’s locker room to be able to shower. Morris hasn’t taken the time to finish setting up the home because his family hasn’t moved to town yet, and he’s spent countless hours working at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Built for the moment

Lockett embraces pressure during unbeaten freshman run

Weston Wertzberger STAFF REPORTER

LaDarion Lockett didn’t arrive at Oklahoma State hoping to feel things out.

“The plan all along was to be undefeated, true freshman national champ,” Lockett said. “So everything’s going as I planned it so far.”

More than halfway through his first season in the lineup, that confidence hasn’t wavered.

The No. 2-ranked 165-pounder enters Friday’s dual against Little Rock at 11–0, steadily building a résumé that includes ranked wins, late-match heroics and growing comfort level on one of college wrestling’s premier teams.

Still, Lockett says the transition hasn’t been about learning how to win — it’s been about understanding when to open things up.

”I think my mindset right now has been ‘hold on and win,’” Lockett said.

“But I’ve got to flip that switch in my head, because I can go out and score a lot of points on these guys too.”

See LOCKETT on page 2B

Morris has had nonstop days at the Cowboys’ facilities to start the process of welcoming the new players and forming the team’s identity. OSU has undergone some of the most turnover in college football, making it critical for Morris to form that continuity and familiarity.

“There’s nothing to go home to,” Morris said. “So this is a great opportunity for me to spend just a ton of time up here and find these times for me to get around these kids… The only way I know how to (build relationships) is to spend quality time with these kids.

See MORRIS on page 6B

OSU to lean on revamped pitching staff, infield depth

Cayden Cox STAFF REPORTER

Josh Holliday had only hired one pitching coach in his 14 years as Oklahoma State’s baseball coach.

When Rob Walton retired following the 2025 season, Holliday was in search of a new pitching coach.

The name Holliday landed on, Blake Hawksworth, Oregon pitching coach and a former big leaguer.

“Everytime I picked up the phone and said, ‘Who on the west side of the country is doing an unbelievable job?’ His name came back first every

single time,” Holliday said. “When I researched him and had the chance to talk to him, I felt there was a perfect fit.” Taking over for Walton, Hawksworth has been thrusted as OSU’s pitching coach, and now has to build relationships with his staff.

“Blake did a great job in the fall getting to know each kid (and) understanding what makes them tick,” Holliday said. He watched a lot of film to familiarize himself with their history and then went to work one day at a time with them.”

See PITCHING on page 3B

Lockett

That shift has come gradually. Early in the season, Lockett leaned on composure and control, trusting his defense and positioning to close out tight bouts.

Last Friday’s comeback win against Northern Iowa’s Ryder Downey — where he rallied late after surrendering his first takedown — reinforced that belief, while also showing what’s possible when urgency takes over.

“I just learned to never stop wrestling,” Lockett said. “Giving up my first takedown of the year was unfortunate, but I can still win matches even when that happens.”

Lockett’s approach has been deliberate throughout the season. He studies film, prepares with intent and prefers having a plan rather than relying purely on instinct.

“I watch a pretty good amount,” Lockett said. “I feel like when I wrestle, I have a little more strategy than some guys that just go out there. Sometimes it’s a bad thing, but a lot of times it works out for me.”

As competition stiffens, Lockett believes confidence has become the difference.

“I don’t think there’s really a difference between high school and college besides my confidence,” Lockett said. “Either way, I’m a lot more technical than a lot of these guys.”

That belief has been shaped by his environment. Lockett grew up around wrestling in Stillwater, started for the Stillwater High School Pioneers and now runs with a freshman-heavy group inside OSU’s room — a group he says continues to raise the bar.

“It’s been awesome,” Lockett said. “Me, Jax (Forrest), Landon (Robideau), Ronnie (Ramirez) and Sergio (Vega) all running together. Adding Jax just made our group even more elite, more tough.”

He’s also leaned on teammates to learn how to finish matches decisively, pointing specifically to how others can turn small openings into scoring flurries.

“Even when it’s close, Forrest can get on top and score 10 or 15 points in like 30 seconds,” Lockett said. “I’m trying to incorporate that and make it easier on myself.”

Coach David Taylor said that growth has been the focus all season, especially as Lockett prepares for another high-level test Friday against Little Rock’s Matty Bianchi in a topfive matchup.

“He’s a freshman, and he’s just focused on getting better every day and looking forward to opportunities to wrestle quality opponents,” Taylor said. “It’s just a good opportunity to go out and wrestle.”

For Lockett, those opportunities are exactly what he’s been waiting for — especially inside Gallagher-Iba Arena, where pressure moments feel less like stress and more like fuel.

“I feel like I live for those moments,” Lockett said. “Down by one, up by one, when the crowd’s into it with 30 seconds left. That’s high pressure, but there’s a lot of reward at the end.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

OSU wrestling team is on a nine-dual

Cowboys continues home stretch against Little Rock

February has arrived, and Oklahoma State finds itself exactly where it wants to be — winning, improving and still searching for more as the postseason approaches.

The No. 3 Cowboys enter Friday’s dual against Little Rock riding a ninedual winning streak and sitting at 12–1 overall after finishing Big 12 dual competition unbeaten for the second consecutive season. For coach David Taylor, the record only tells part of the story.

“I think we’ve made a lot of progress this year, and we still have a lot of areas to continue improving,” Taylor said. “We’ve got three duals left and are looking forward to these opportunities.”

Friday’s matchup continues a brief series that the Cowboys have dominated.

OSU has won all four meetings against Little Rock since 2021, outscoring the Trojans 141–23 in that span. The lone meeting in Stillwater came in 2021, when OSU shut out Little Rock, 45–0. Last season marked the first time the Trojans reached double digits against the Cowboys. Despite that history, Taylor emphasized that preparation remains the same.

“They’re a tough, scrappy team,” Taylor said. “Neil (Erisman) does a great job, and we’re excited and ready to go.”

That familiarity includes LR coach Neil Erisman, a former Cowboy who returns to Gallagher-Iba Arena as a visiting coach for the second time. While the storyline adds intrigue, OSU’s focus remains internal as March approaches.

“Our goal is to be the best at the national tournament,” Taylor said. “Each week is an opportunity to put 10 guys out there who are excited to compete and keep getting better.”

Lockett–Bianchi highlights marquee matchup

The headliner of the dual comes at 165 pounds, where No. 2 LaDarion Lockett (11–0) is set to face No. 5 Matty Bianchi (16–0) in a battle of unbeatens.

Bianchi, an All-American a season ago, marks Lockett’s fourth topfive opponent of the season. Taylor said the matchup fits perfectly into Lockett’s development.

“He’s a freshman, and he’s just focused on getting better every day and looking forward to opportunities to wrestle quality opponents,” Taylor said. “This guy’s been around for a while, so it’s a good opportunity.”

The Cowboys are projected to start

ranked wrestlers at nine of the 10 weights, with 184-pounder Trevor Dopps replacing No. 9 Zack Ryder for the second straight dual due to a shoulder injury.

Swiderski’s resilience showing At 149 pounds, Casey Swiderski enters the weekend riding a sixmatch winning streak and victories in 10 of his last 11 bouts, a turnaround that has energized both him and the rest of the OSU lineup.

“Casey’s a guy with a lot of energy, and that’s awesome. I think it’s been great for our team,” Taylor said. “When you wrestle Casey in practice, like you’ve got to be ready to go, and it’s good. It’s been great for our young guys and those guys have been a great challenge for him.”

After a slow start to the season, Taylor said Swiderski could have gone in a different direction, but instead leaned into the work.

“I think resilience has been the story for him this year,” Taylor said. “It didn’t start out awesome. He could have put his head down and just found a way not get better, and he just kept coming to work, put his work boots on. That’s what he would say. That’s kind of his mentality.

“... He’s come back around and he’s still got some good challenges ahead.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Friday: vs Little Rock

Feb. 15: at Virginia Tech Feb. 22: vs Iowa

March 6 & 7: Big 12 Championships March 19-21: NCAA Championships

Pitching

Continued from 1

With a pitching staff returning Mario Pesca and set to feature U. Call Santa Barbra transfer Hudson Barrett, and Clemson transfer TP Wentworth, building a bond with their pitching coach has been key.

“Hawksworth has been tremendous,” Pesca said. “Our relationship with him, just as a staff, and how he preaches his philosophies is awesome. It’s so process oriented. We just give into the process. The results will follow. So it’s a pretty good mentality for the staff this year.”

Infield depth

After earning All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in 2024, Aidan Meola was looking to build on his success, but his 2025 season was cut short due to season-ending injury.

The recovery was not easy for Meola as he had to undergo surgery on his torn labrum, but believes he is finally finding his groove.

“I underwent surgery so it was challenging,” Meola said. “It took about seven months to get fully back and I would just say this last month or two (I’m) kinda feeling like myself again. It’s hard, but I’ve been through it before so I kinda know what to do.”

Along with Meola, shortstop Avery Ortiz also missed significant time with an injury last season.

Now, both Meola and Ortiz return to an infield that includes slugger Collin Brueggemann, Brock Thompson, newcomer Terrance Bowen and Garrett Shull.

With healthy bodies and key returners across the diamond, Holliday believes depth on the infield could be a strength for the Cowboys.

“Between Aidan, Avey, Brock, Collin, what Garrett’s done (and) Terrance, we’ve had good production on the infield and we have some good options there,” Holliday said.

Ritchie’s emergence

With former two-time All-American Nolan Schubart now in the Cleveland Guardians organization, a large void is left in the Cowboys lineup.

But, junior Kollin Ritchie is looking to carry over his success and fill that void.

Ritchie, who started in 42 games for OSU, had a stellar 2025 season in which he hit .291 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI’s, while also leading the team with a .645 slugging percentage.

His bat also caught fire down the stretch, as he hit .538 in the Athens Regional and clubbed five home runs in OSU’s final six games.

Closing the season on a high note helped Ritchie find what worked for him at the plate and he was able to carry that success into the offseason.

“I feel good where I’m at right now,” Ritchie said. “Ending the season how I did helped me figure out who I was as a player and where I could be as a player, but it also taught me little holes in my game that I need to work on and move towards the season. I feel like I figured those out in the fall.”

The center fielder was a key piece for the Cowboys last season, but now has the opportunity to be the star for OSU.

What to know about OSU softball in 2026

Parker Gerl CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

It’s time to play ball.

The Oklahoma State softball team open the season Thursday night against Stanford in California before playing four more games in the Golden State throughout the weekend.

Here is everything you need to know about Cowgirl softball for the 2026 season.

Roster makeup

From top to bottom, OSU has a mixture of experience and youth at all levels. Some key returners will continue to play pivotal roles, while some underclassmen will step into starting positions.

Rosie Davis (third base) and Karli Godwin (first base) are two of the Cowgirls’ most important returners. Davis had a breakout season in 2025, leading the team in batting average, hits, RBIs, on-base percentage and walks, and Godwin is a powerful bat with 22 home runs in the last two seasons. They’re the veterans OSU will lean on in the infield, as the Cowgirls will have a new shortstop and a new second baseman (who is unclear currently).

The outfield has the potential to be one of the Cowgirls’ best groups.

Tia Warsop and Lexi McDonald are returning for their third and fourth seasons, respectively, with transfers Kya Booker (Georgia Tech) and Melina

Wilkison (Indiana) joining the fold. Claire Timm is also back for her senior season.

Warsop and Booker’s skill sets provide scoring opportunities with their speed, while McDonald and Timm hit for power. All together, OSU’s outfield is highly experienced and versatile

In the circle, ace pitcher Ruby Meylan — the face of the Cowgirls — is coming off an All-American season in 2025 and will lead the pitching staff again this season. RyLee Crandall is another key pitching returner; she battled injury in 2025 but was able to post a 7-4 record. Next to Meylan and Crandall, the Cowgirls have three freshmen pitchers — Makala Smith, Madison Hoffman and Preslee Downing.

The Cowgirls have 11 newcomers and had a decent reshaping in the offseason.

Returning to the WCWS

This is coach Kenny Gajewski’s 11th season. In the past six years, OSU has been an elite program. From 2019-24, the Cowgirls made five straight trips to the Women’s College World Series and won a Big 12 Championship in 2021.

In 2025, though, the Cowgirls’ season ended earlier than expected in Regionals after being picked as the No. 1 team in the Big 12 Conference. OSU is looking to return to that standard Gajewski has built in Stillwater — deep runs in the postseason.

With a core of Meylan, Davis, Godwin, Warsop and Amanda Hasler, the Cowgirls have enough talent and continuity to go far. They just have to get the job done.

“It kind of has a little bit of a feeling of 2019, where we needed to rest just a bit,” Gajewski said. “It’s just kinda cool to reset after you’ve been to OKC five out of six years instead of never ever being in a Super. So, it’s a different kind of reset. It’s not a wholesale, trash it all, and we gotta start over. It’s, here’s what’s been going very well. Here’s where we gotta get to.”

Rankings

For the ninth consecutive season, OSU will begin a season ranked inside the Top 25.

The Cowgirls ranked No. 24 in the NFCA/GoRout DI preseason coaches poll and slot in at No. 19 in both the D1Softball and Softball America preseason Top 25 polls. OSU also came in at No. 20 in the ESPN/USA Softball Collegiate Preseason Top 25.

As for the Big 12, the Cowgirls were tabbed No. 2 in the conference’s preseason poll. Texas Tech came in at No. 1 with 100 points and 10 firstplace votes, while OSU finished with 87 points and one first-place vote. Arizona, Arizona State and UCF completed the top five. Davis and Meylan were also two of 18 athletes selected to the Big 12 preseason team.

“I think he understands what he needs to do everyday,” Holliday said. “He understands his routine. His preparation is excellent. He’s had a really good spring so far and he’s committed to the process that it takes every single day.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Oklahoma state vs byu basketball

How Cowgirls can boost March Madness resume

Cayden Cox STAFF REPORTER

Seven games is all that separates Oklahoma State from postseason play.

With the Big 12 being tighter than ever, OSU has a chance to seize its opportunities and put itself in position to go on a deep run in March.

However, the Cowgirls have shifted their mindset to completing their regular season and bettering themselves for finishing conference play strongly.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time,” OSU coach Jacie Hoyt said. “There’s still so much basketball to be played and we’re really focused on just us. As a coach, I feel like we are firing on all cylinders and (if) everyone is playing to their full potential, we’re (a) really, really good team that’s going to have a lot of success in this conference.”

Early bracketology

The Cowgirls are well on their way to making the NCAA tournament in consecutive years for the first time in 10 years.

With March on the horizon, many outlets have released its predictions for the March Madness bracket.

Both ESPN’s Charlie Creme and the NCAA’s Autumn Johnson currently have the Cowgirls set to face the Oregon Ducks in the first round, but the two sites have different seeds for the two teams.

Creme lists OSU as a No. 8 seed and the Ducks as a No. 9, while Johnson flips the two, placing Oregon eighth and the Cowgirls ninth.

Like Creme, The Athletic’s Eden Laase has the Cowgirls on the No. 8 line, but projects OSU to play Stanford in round one.

The Cowgirls would be a No. 9 seed and would face off against Syracuse, according to CBS Sports. CBS has OSU traveling to Storrs, Connecticut for the second consecutive year in a regional that UConn would host.

While the major outlets are split on where the Cowgirls would currently be seated, OSU would have a long road to the Sweet 16 if it was an eight or nine seed.

Advanced metrics

The NCAA Selection Committee uses a variety of metrics when comparing team resumes. The metrics include NET ranking, strength of schedule, quadrant one wins, major road wins and wins above the bubble. These metrics have put the Cowgirls at a major disadvantage and a large reason they are currently seeded as an 8 or 9 seed.

OSU’s NET (28) is its strongest of the metrics, and the Cowgirls have the fourth best NET in the Big 12. While the Cowgirls NET ranking is high, the metrics that go along with the NET have the OSU at a disadvantage.

The Cowgirls are currently 0-4 in quad one games and only have three opportunities left to get a quad one win. OSU’s loss to St. John’s also weighs the Cowgirls down. The Red Storm are ranked 107 in the NET and gave the Cowgirls a quad three loss.

OSU’s best road win is also a weakness for the Cowgirls, a victory against Kansas. The Cowgirls had a big opportunity to pick up another quality win against Arizona State, but dropped the contest against the Sun Devils.

The strength of schedule and wins above bubble are also key factors that the Cowgirls are slacking in. OSU has a WAB of 1.13, which ranks 40th in the country. The Cowgirls’ strength of schedule also serves as a burden.

OSU is currently 70th in strength of schedule and its weak nonconference slate is ranked 285 out of 362 Division-I teams.

With Metrics largely against the Cowgirls, the final seven game stretch for OSU has more weight than ever in the hunt to boost its resume.

Breakdown of remaining schedule

A large part of why OSU, which was ranked for the first six weeks of the season, is no longer ranked is because the Cowgirls have struggled on the road this year.

OSU is 6-5 away from Gallagher-Iba Arena, being 4-4 in true road games.

With the Cowgirls likely set to be below a four seed, they will have to travel on the road for March Madness.

With three road games left on OSU’s schedule, every outcome is critical for the Cowgirls down the stretch.

Here’s the breakdown for the Cowgirls’ remaining schedule and the NET ranking of each opponent.

Saturday: vs UCF (118)

Wednesday: at Kansas State (63)

Feb. 14: vs Texas Tech (29)

Feb. 16: vs Utah (47)

Feb. 21: at West Virginia (23)

Feb. 25: at Iowa State (32)

Feb. 28: vs Kansas (51)

Championship experience

When it comes to March, experience is key and OSU learned first hand last season.

Anna Gret Asi and Tenin Magassa were the lone Cowgirls with postseason experience a season ago, and the lack of experience played a crucial role as the Cowgirls ended up being bounced in the first round by Haleigh Timmer and South Dakota State.

Now, Timmer brings three years of March Madness play to OSU, and the four returners got a taste of March last season.

Big 12 coaches praise Hoyt, OSU’s roster construction

Zero.

The amount of points Oklahoma State scored in the first quarter in the 2022 Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals against Baylor.

The Cowgirls had just endured their worst season since 2005-06, and longtime coach Jim Littell had just coached his final game for OSU.

On March 20, 2022, OSU found its new women’s basketball coach when Chad Weiberg brought in an upstart coach from Kansas City — Jacie Hoyt.

In four years under Hoyt, the Cowgirls program has emerged as one of the top schools in the Big 12 and several coaches in the conference have been impressed with the turnaround Hoyt brought to OSU.

“I have a ton of respect for Jacie Hoyt (and) what she’s done at Oklahoma State,” said Baylor coach Nicki Collen.

When Littell was let go, the Cowgirls program was near the bottom of the Big 12. They were on a 14-game losing streak against the Bears and had dropped seven of its last eight against Iowa State.

In Hoyt’s first season at the helm, she brought an end to those streaks as she defeated both Baylor and ISU on the way to a NCAA Tournament appearance.

“When I got here, the expectation was never to beat Baylor,” Hoyt said. “Honestly, the expectation was don’t get blown out by Baylor and over the last few years, we have really changed that expectation and progressed into a great program that expects to beat Baylor.”

Hoyt has defeated the Bears three times, and has a winning record against 12 of the other 15 Big 12 teams in her time at OSU.

Not only has Hoyt won games, but she has also built rosters that have competed with the best in the Big 12.

Recruiting high school talent was a problem for Littell. The Cowgirls brought in seven Top 100 players in his tenure. While Hoyt hasn’t loaded up high school talent, she has recruited Jadyn Wooten and Lena Girardi, both of whom were Top 100 recruits, as well as Bralyn Peck and Addisyn Bollinger, two All-American nominees.

The transfer portal is where Hoyt has found her most success. The Cowgirls coach has brought in 23

players to OSU via the portal, and has taken advantage of the opportunity for players to play right away, whereas in Littell’s tenure, players had to sit a year after transferring. Hoyt also rebuilt a roster that was depleted upon her arrival and led the Cowgirls to March Madness in her first season in Stillwater.

“She has done such a good job of piecing rosters together,” Collen said. “She understands what she wants and then she coaches toughness into them.”

Away from roster construction, Hoyt has been seen as an offensive minded coach. Her teams are known to light up the scoreboard and play fast.

After transitioning from the WNBA to college basketball, Collen has seen the in-game analytics that Hoyt has used at OSU.

“I know when we play Oklahoma State that Jacie’s going to come with good ATO’s,” Collen said. “She’s going to play mismatches. She thinks (about) the game. She’s not just a motivational (coach). I see it all. I see the (motivation), but I also see attention to detail.”

In her tenure at OSU, Hoyt has built up the Cowgirls offense. OSU has scored 100 points nine times, and shattered the single-season record for 100 point games this season, scoring triple digits in five nonconference games.

Hoyt has also found players and talents to build her team around.

After having success with a defense first point guard in Alexia Smith last season, Hoyt brought in Amari Whiting. The same can be said with 3-point specialists after Micah Gray broke the program record for most 3’s in a season, Haleigh Timmer joined the Cowgirls roster this season. Hoyt’s ability to build around core assets has also impressed coaches within the conference.

“They have great complementary players,” Houston coach Matthew Mitchell said. “Jacie did such a fantastic job putting the roster together.”

While several coaches from around the conference have glamoured about what Hoyt has done at OSU, she still believes there is work to be done.

“We’re not a program,” Hoyt said. “I think we’re becoming one. When I got here, we certainly were not the cool, sexy choice for people.”

A veteran group that has experience in a tournament atmosphere could be key for an OSU team that will likely find itself needing to pull off an upset to advance to the Sweet 16. sports.ed@ocolly.com sports.ed@ocolly.com

transfer portal players: stay with the coach who believed in them before they became those highly coveted stars.

Continued from 1 Morris Big

To be exact, Morris and OSU brought in 81 new players through the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Of the 105-man roster, only 24 players were on last season’s team.

Morris said Wednesday that when he and his staff were building the roster, they prioritized players who had already played a high number of snaps, regardless of the level.

Now that most of the roster building is done, Morris likes what the Cowboys have heading into spring ball.

“Monday was the first time I was really able to relax and breathe and come into the office and focus on what’s next,” Morris said. “And that’s building the culture in these walls, in this building, in our locker room.”

Landing Mestemaker, Hawkins

The two most prized possessions of OSU’s portal class are quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins, the former North Texas stars who followed Morris from Denton to Stillwater.

After Mestemaker led the nation in passing yards, and Hawkins led the nation in rushing touchdowns, both players had several high-profile schools pursuing their services. Multiple reports said Oklahoma and Texas were after Hawkins, while Mestemaker was briefly tied to Indiana.

But in the end, it was an easy decision for two of the most coveted

Morris recruited Mestemaker when he was a 0-star recruit, and he brought Hawkins to UNT when nobody knew “who the hell Caleb Hawkins was from Shawnee, Oklahoma.” Both Hawkins and Morris wanted to continue to develop under the coach who kick-started their journeys.

“We built trust (with them),” Morris said. “We didn’t recruit them because they were four and five-star kids out of high school. We recruited them because we believed in them first and foremost. Then they came in, they bought into what we were doing as a program, and they were rewarded on the field, and obviously had a lot of production.”

Spring ball

Sooner rather than later, the 2026 Cowboys will hit the ground running.

Spring practice is set to begin the week of March 9, with OSU set to have a scrimmage on the same day as “The Boys from Oklahoma” event on April 11. Morris also said a spring game is tentatively set for April 18.

Morris also said there will be some open practices for “people to come out and see us build and get behind us.” The Cowboys coach has felt the energy and buzz from OSU fans and wants to return the favor any chance he gets.

“The reception has just been phenomenal for me and my family out in this community,” Morris said.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Parker Gerl CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The balance of power in college basketball shifted last season, but by February, it’s already clear-cut and dry on where that power has settled back into.

Familiar territory.

The SEC had a heck of a 2024-25 season, shattering the all-time record for NCAA Tournament bids with 14 and having seven of its teams reach the Sweet 16. The conference and its fans could brag, with some suggesting the league was en route to becoming just as dominant in hoops as it is in football.

Not so fast, though.

After a one-year reset, the Big 12 has already reclaimed its crown as the best men’s basketball conference, the position it’s held for most of the 2020s. No other league has the total package like the Big 12 does.

The simplest way to start? Take a peek at the Top 25, cause everyone loves rankings.

Six Big 12 squads are ranked in the top 16, with three sitting in the top eight, a bonus? The No. 1 team in America, Arizona, is a Big 12 member. No SEC team is ranked in the top 14, and only four of its teams are ranked. However, the Big Ten has five teams ranked in the top 16 and has a much more compelling case to challenge the Big 12 rather than the SEC (more on that later).

Head-to-head records are another great indicator of who is the top dog. The Big 12 is 16-6 against the SEC and 8-8 against the Big Ten this season. At the very least, these data points show that the SEC is thirdbest, and any debate for the crown is between the Big 12 and Big Ten.

So, where does the Big 12 have the Big Ten beat?

Two areas. Coaching and star players.

Houston’s Kelvin Sampson may be the best coach in the country. Kansas’ Bill Self, Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland, Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd are some of the best in the business. Don’t forget Baylor coach Scott Drew; it’s been a tough year for the Bears, but Drew’s resume speaks for itself.

Sure, the Big Ten has some great coaches — Brad Underwood (Illinois), Matt Painter (Purdue), Dusty May (Michigan) and Tom Izzo (Michigan State). But the Big Ten’s coaches just don’t quite stack up to the Big 12 from top to bottom.

And as for the stars, the Big 12’s freshman talent is one of a kind. Three freshmen guards — Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybansta and Kingston Flemings — are projected to be top five picks in the 2026 NBA Draft and have already become some of the best players in the country.

Peterson (Kansas) is putting up 21.1 points on 49.4% shooting, while Dybansta (BYU) is averaging 23.9 points and Flemings (Houston) is averaging 17 points and 5.4 assists. Flemings and Dybansta have also had 40-point games this season.

And for the Big 12’s non-freshman talent, Texas Tech forward JT Toppin was the 2024-25 player of the year, Kansas State guard P.J. Haggerty is one of the best scorers in the country and Iowa State forwards Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson each average more than 17 points. That’s just to name a few.

While the Big Ten is a great hoops conference, the Big 12 gets the nod currently as the best for having the total package: elite coaches, topnotch star players and dominance in the rankings. No other conference presents what the Big 12 does on a nightly basis.

This season has just been a reminder of who’s owned the crown for several years and who’s back in charge after a brief one-year hiatus.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

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