The O'Colly, Jan. 23, 2026

Friday, January 23, 2026

Stillwater nurse arrested

Caleson Coon

EDITOR

A Stillwater Medical Center nurse, Daniel Boring, was arrested in his Stillwater home under allegations of being under the influence of fentanyl along with other controlled substances while on call as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

Boring was arrested on Jan. 20 at

his home in Stillwater on charges of theft of controlled substance, abuse, neglect, larceny, burglary or exploitation by caretaker after investigators received a tip, according to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

Leading up to Boring’s arrest, the hospital worked alongside OBN to build an investigation, which began on Jan. 16.

The hospital was under the assumption that Boring was taking

substances intended for patients regarding surgery, including a minor and an 84-year-old, said OBN.

OBN mentioned agents on the case believe there are other circumstances and abuse of patient medication in addition to the confirmed instances.

Boring was booked into Payne County Jail, but bonded out on Jan. 21, according to VINE.

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sign reading, “No one is illegal on

Uproar in Stillwater

‘This is what democracy looks like’

OKC community gathers to protest current administration

Outside Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tuesday afternoon, protesters gathered to march against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, joining a nationwide walkout and day of action.

“We have over 900 walkouts across the country today,” said Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of Women’s March. “What we wanted to do was send a message and test a tactic so we can continue to learn and grow to meet the political moment.”

Women’s March chose Tuesday because it marked one year of President Donald Trump’s inauguration for a nonconsecutive second term.

“Today is the one year anniversary of the inauguration of Donald Trump for the second time,” said Carmona. “We knew that we needed to mark this day, particularly in a week when we have an occupying force in states across the country, particularly Minnesota, and we knew that we need to have a visible stand against fascism, and also one that withdraws consent from business as usual.”

The walkouts encouraged participants to step away from work, school and commerce for the day, using absence as a form of protest. Organizers said the goal was not to persuade political opponents, but to show presence — to be seen and counted at a moment when many feel unseen. For local organizers, the march was not abstract.

Nicole Maldonado helped connect national organizers with Oklahoma-based groups and worked with Women’s March to coordinate the Oklahoma City event. She said immigration enforcement has created a level of fear that extends into everyday life.

In front of the fountain at Edmon Low Library, Oklahoma State University’s Student Socialist League (SSL) held an anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest to join the nationwide movement, while mere feet away stood a pro-ice protest in opposition.

Senior at OSU and co-chair of SSL, BB, said as a student at OSU, she can’t be silent or let OSU be a silent campus while ICE roams the streets of Stillwater. BB did not want to give their name to The O’Colly.

“When things like this are happening, when people are being terrorized, when people are being killed by state officials, we can’t just sit around and do nothing,” BB said.

BB said she believes that not everyone supports what is going on–whether they be republicans, democrats or independents. She believes in bringing everyone together who don’t oppose ICE and everything they are doing.

The problem remains personal to BB as she has friends with differing stories and lives.

See DEMOCRACY on page 6A See UPROAR on page 3A

When tech matters: AI is at the forefront once again

Bryson Thadhani CO-EDITORIN-CHIEF

This column will not run every week. Tech news has to be interesting for it to be worth your time.

Still, it felt fitting to start the year with this. My first article for The O’Colly was about Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. Writing a weekly tech column is a full-circle moment.

So, let’s get into it.

One of the quieter but more important stories this week involves random access memory prices, which continue to climb fast. Double

data rate 5 memory now costs more than four times what it did in July 2025, and the reasons have very little to do with consumers.

The three largest memory manufacturers, Micron, Samsung and SK Hynix, have slowed production of consumer-focused RAM, with Micron putting out a statement late last year stating it will no longer be producing RAM for the consumer, in favor of supplying data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. That market is simply more profitable.

AI training centers require massive amounts of memory, and companies are willing to pay for it. Meanwhile, consumers are left dealing

with higher prices and fewer options.

If you are planning to build or upgrade a PC this year, that matters. RAM is no longer the affordable afterthought it used to be.

On a related note, leaks suggest NVIDIA is preparing to cut graphics processing unit supply by roughly 20% in the near future. If that happens, graphics cards will only get harder to find and more expensive.

The advice is simple: if you are serious about a PC build, lock in a graphics card sooner rather than later and expect RAM prices to remain high.

Shifting away from hardware, Google made a notable move this week

An

Co-Editors-in-Chief Bryson Thadhani & Parker Gerl editorinchief@ocolly.com

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with its Gemini AI platform. Google announced Gemini can now connect across a user’s Photos, Gmail, YouTube and Search data to provide more personalized responses.

The key detail: the feature is opt-in. You have to turn it on yourself. In a tech landscape where companies often blur the line between consent and default settings, that distinction matters. It is a rare consumer-friendly decision in the AI space.

Apple also made waves this week, though indirectly.

Google has put out a joint statement with Apple saying Google Gemini will be the backbone for the new Siri overhaul. A revamped Siri has been promised since WWDC

On This day

2024, and users have been waiting ever since.

There is no official timeline, but expectations point toward a reveal later this year, possibly as early as WWDC 2026. Finally, the U.S. government announced plans to impose a 25% levy on AI chip sales made by AMD and NVIDIA to China. The move is a part of a broader effort to keep the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence development. Whether that strategy works long term remains to be seen, but it underscores how central AI has become, not just to tech companies, but to global policy.

Some weeks, tech news is noise. This week it wasn’t.

A fire with flames up to 15 feet broke out at the Forty North apartments on Boomer Road Thursday night, leaving residents of at least four apartments homeless.

No one was injured in the blaze.

Becky Harrington, manager of Forty North, said all residents will be taken care of and arrangements have been made for hotel rooms.

Harrington had no comment to questions regarding unlicensed maintenance men working in the apartment complex.

Hayley Dikeman, wildlife management senior, said the fire started in her apartment under the sink about 5 p.m. Maintenance men were making repairs to her sink pipes.

“It started underneath the sink while mechanics were underneath working,” she said. “Fire just went right up the wall.”

At 7:30 p.m., Stillwater battalion Chief Gary Stanton said the fire department had not yet determined the cause of the fire.

ABBIE GIBBS | THE DAILY O’COLLEGIAN,

Kia

Kaitlyn

“People who I have always known to be very strong people who I see now are scared, and that’s not fair,” BB said.

BB said the SSL plans to inform others on what their rights are and how to respond if an ICE agent comes to your door, etc.

“It’s important to try and exercise your rights when the time comes,” she said. Along with educating people on how to identify ICE agents, how to post about them correctly and share the details of each situation with others as accurately and quickly as one can.

“The big thing is letting people know when they’re seen and letting people know what their legal rights are,” BB said.

Many people of opposing views exercised their rights within close proximity of one another, while proICE supporters held signs supporting their views and beliefs.

BB said it’s no surprise as the SSL tends to get counter protestors more often than not.

“It happens. I think they’re perfectly entitled to exercise their rights, of course.” BB said.

Standing in support of ICE was Caleb Buxton, a senior at OSU, who said he and other supporters were there to protest due to his belief that laws should be upheld, and people who crossed over illegally should be deported as the law is written.

“We just hope to get our view out there as well,” Buxton said. “Because people walking by may not agree with them, they may

agree with us, so I think it’s important for people to see both sides.”

Chanter of the protest for SSL and graduate student, AA, said the SSL is more than just a group of activists making protests, but people who are interested in bringing their community together to create a network of mutual aid that allows for people to help provide for one another. AA did not want to give their name to The O’Colly.

“We have no sense of connection anybody anymore, and that’s how ICE is so successful because nobody cares or is sleepwalking through an apocalypse–its incredibly important that we wake people up.” AA said.

He believes it’s important for people to realize that their neighbor is human too.

“Whether they be an immigrant or a citizen, their lives matter.” AA said.

Organizations like the SSL are trying to be the first step to bettering the county with other community organizations.

AA said the the SSL is not separating itself from the community, but rather attempting to voice their message to fellow students who may have been hearing and seeing things online, and don’t know what to do about it.

On the other side of the protest is Ben Witt, a sophomore at OSU who believes in compromise and understanding of his fellow students who support antiICE.

“I feel like there’s a side of truth to both arguments,” Witt said.

He believes in putting American citizens first before allowing others into the country due to the growing list of problems the U.S. is

already dealing with. Taking care of America first then South America and Mexico, both being close to the U.S., can be prioritized after finding solutions for the U.S. Witt values listening before arguing when speaking to others of the opposing side. “I like to see what somebody’s stance is on something, and try more to understand who they are and where they’re coming from.” Witt said.

Although Witt has sympathy, he has to weigh his country’s lives over others because that is where he finds connection–to the people of his country.

He said all he is trying to do is converse rather than argue, and he believes that at the end of the day, everyone is a human being.

IRSA Gathers in Support of Iran

internet completely, it’s difficult for students to stay updated with the crisis in their country, and their families’

updates.

The Iranian Students Association held a peaceful gathering on campus at the Chi O Clock to bring awareness to the crisis in Iran.

The people of Iran have recently protested the economic situation and a demand for regime change, which has led to more than thousands of deaths of Iranian’s.

Although they are far away from home, students at Oklahoma State University are still taking the steps to fight for not only their country, but also their families.

President of the IRSA and PhD student, Ahmad Lehiyn, said the IRSA’s hope is that leaders of OSU can hear them, understand the situation and support Iranian students during this time.

Due to the government in Iran shutting down the

safety

“But we are here to be their voice, and make sure that their story will be heard by the OSU community.” Lehiyn said.

Lehiyn said it’s a horrible situation that most Iranian students struggle with on a day to day basis, and most of the students, like himself, haven’t spoken to their families in two weeks.

“We are not sure if they’re alive because of the protest that is happening in our country,” Lehiyn said.

Lehiyn has not seen his parents, brother or sisterin-law face to face in three years, though that is not an uncommon thing amongst the IRSA members.

However, it all makes focusing on research and simple tasks more difficult since they are constantly listening and checking for

“The mental health of the students is also being negatively impacted,” Lehiyn said. as the ISS (International Students and Scholars) has suggested that they go to the University Health Center for guidance on how to improve the anxiety and stress these students are dealing with.

“We are just waiting for some good news from our country,” Lehiyn said.

A volunteer for IRSA and first year graduate student, Patrick Pashna, signed up to volunteer when he heard the news about what was happening in his home country.

“I want to make sure that I am doing my best for my country and be the voice of my people in Iran,” Pashna said.

His intentions for the gathering are for all the students across campus to become familiar with the crisis in Iran and the regime change request.

Pashna believes that if the U.S. and people around the world can help Iran overthrow the regime, then everyone can benefit.

Normally Pashna contacts his loved ones through Whatsapp, Googlemeet, or telegraphs, but he has not been able to do so in the past couple of weeks, though his main concern is the country as a whole instead of just his five family members.

Pashna said though he was proud of himself for helping his country, it was bittersweet due to the reason for the gathering, but he remains hopeful for a regime change.

Ben Hassanizadeh, vice president of IRSA and PhD student, said they want students and faculty to know that the Iranian people are separate from the government.

“And this is the same government that is the enemy of other people–we know that, we know the true nature of it,” Hassanizadeh said. “This is the

enemy. We should fight this, help us fight this.”

The number of deaths is shocking for every one of the IRSA members, he said.

“That’s kind of what we wanted to say, that we want to be a secular democrat nation,” Hassanizadeh said.

Hassanizadeh said he is always checking for updates because everything back home can shift in the blink of an eye; especially considering the little to no contact with his family.

“I miss being with them, hanging out with them,” Hassanizadeh said. “Nowadays, we cannot even have a video call or speak for an hour or so–it’s just a few minutes to say ‘okay, we’re fine, bye–our connection has been cut off.’” Hassanizadeh said that being a part of IRSA’s gathering gives him a peace of mind.

“This is the best I can do–to share this awareness in a peaceful way,” Hassanizadeh said.

A$AP Rocky: ‘Don’t Be Dumb’

A lively, creative comeback for Rocky

Eight years. 2,793 days.

That’s how long A$AP Rocky went without releasing an album. In an era where some A-list hiphop stars have become known for dropping multiple albums in a year, the time Rocky went without releasing a new project felt like a lifetime.

During those eight years, Rocky, a.k.a Rakim Mayers, was busy, though. He entered a relationship and had children with pop star Rihanna. He appeared in two movies. He became creative director for Ray-Ban. And last year, he was acquitted of firing a gun at a former friend — avoiding up to 24 years in prison.

Rocky never left the spotlight; he just hadn’t been in it for musical reasons, mostly, until last weekend.

Rocky released his fourth studio album, “Don’t Be Dumb,” on Jan. 16 after several years of teasing. And simply put, the 15-track project isn’t perfect, but it’s a well-put-together, entertaining return for the 37-year-old New York rapper and songwriter. Rocky blends hip-hop, punk, jazz and alternative, among other sounds, to create one of his most experimental projects, while still sticking with some of the candid raps that made him famous in the early 2010s.

The opening track, “ORDER OF PROTECTION” isn’t one of the strongest on “Don’t Be Dumb,” but it does well as introduction with Rocky rapping about being gone for so long and assuring he’s back.

“HELICOPTER,” the second track, quickly picks up the momentum of the album with its heavy bass and hint of techno. It’s simple but effective, with Rocky showcasing slick flows that offer listeners a sign of what’s to come.

Another highlight on “Don’t Be Dumb” is track No. 4, “STOLE YA FLOW,” which is seemingly Rocky’s take on a Drake diss track.

Rocky and Drake have taken shots at each other over the past few years, and on this song, Rocky raps about Drake stealing his style — “Throwin’ dirt on Rocky name, turn around and copy game” — and brags about being with Rihanna, as she and Drake were previously in an on-again, off-again public relationship years ago.

Track No. 5, “STAY HERE 4 LIFE,” lightens the album’s sound. Rocky and Brent Faiyaz create a song about the concepts of falling in love and entering an exclusive relationship with someone. It’s a smooth pop record that stands out amongst the rest the of the songs.

And when you get to track No. 7, “NO TRESSPASSING,” you’re in store for one of — if not the most — different sounds on “Don’t Be Dumb.” It’s a dark, grimey record and one of many on the album that feature Southern hip-hop, chopped and screwed influence. The production makes it sound like you’re in a dance hall while Rocky raps, “I might move to Texas, roll ‘round with protection… Pull up to your section, hit ‘em with that fire” — bars that some think are a dig at Houston rapper Travis Scott.

After “NO TRESSPASSING” is “STOP SNITCHING,” a solid trap record that Rocky flows well over with the help of Bossman Dlow and Sauce Walka. It’s a version of Rocky who is confident, aggressive and not afraid to make a statement on the topic of snitching over Houston-rap sounds.

Track No. 10 is where the album shifts gears again on “PUNK ROCKY,” a song Rocky released as the lead single for the album. It’s a genre-blending song with influences of indie-rock and Rocky singing about love and heartbreak. It’s also been briefly compared to the “Sundress” record, another experimental song in Rocky’s catalog.

Then on “ROBBERY,” track No. 13, Rocky and Doechii create a

8.5/10

“Rocky gives us several standout moments and catchy songs, while taking many risks and using different sounds throughout the album.”

unique theatrical jazz record that features piano, hand drums and other sounds. Rocky and Doechii each use soft, whisper-like raps and talk about sneaking into an event that they end up robbing — with Rocky clearing his throat before saying, “Excuse me, ladies and gentleman, I don’t mean to disturb. But this is a robbery, yes, you heard,” and giving out orders to the people in attendance.

Track No. 14 is a two-part titled song, “DON’T BE DUMB/ TRIP BABY.” Rocky continues to mix in soft sounds and explore concepts of love while discussing anxiety and reflection on past decisons. The eventual beat switch keeps listeners engaged, too.

The closing track, titled “THE END,” includes eerie vocals from a young kid singing, “This is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends,” and features Jessica Pratt on the backend. It’s a bleak closer that explores reflection and somewhat questions the trajectory of society.

Overall “Don’t Be Dumb” is a rollercoaster — but in a good way.

Rocky gives us several standout moments and catchy songs, while taking many risks and using different sounds throughout the album. It’s certainly not perfect nor one his best albums, but it’s also far from his worst.

It’s another reminder of how unique of a curator Rocky is and shows us he can still put together an album that’s worth full attention. And now, as he discusses on the opening track, Rocky may just be back.

news.ed@ocolly.com

TCO’s playfest tests creatives under pressure

Caden James STAFF REPORTER

Actors, writers and directors gathered in teams this week for Oklahoma State University’s Theatre Council annual 24-hour playfest — a competition that challenges participants to write, rehearse and perform original plays in just one day.

The event brings together creative teams who are given a theme, a required line and a random modifier. From there, participants have 24 hours to develop a script, cast actors, rehearse and present their work.

This year’s theme was “Beat the Odds.” Each team was required to include the line, “And that was the day I learned to rumba,” along with a randomly assigned modifier.

After receiving their prompts, teams separated into rooms and began developing their projects.

Three teams competed in this year’s festival: Zack Burns and Aidan Bosworth with “Therapeutic Fallout,” Reed Bonge and Ava Blaskovich with “The Odds” and Reid Foust, Jae Mangan and Hayley Breitenstein with “SelfFulfilling Prophecy.”

Burns and Bosworth built their play around a therapy session, incorporating their modifier, which required characters to close their eyes for 10 seconds.

“I think it’s really cool because with the time crunch, you have to really just throw whatever you want at the wall and see what sticks,” Burns said. “It’s a fun thought experiment to pump your creative muscles.”

Bonge and Blaskovich initially explored multiple concepts before settling on their final idea. Their modifier required a character to wear a disguise, which led them to consider a superhero-themed approach.

“It might change in three hours,” Blaskovich said. “But basically, we have to include the theme, the line and someone wearing a disguise. We thought that worked well with the superhero idea.”

The final team, Foust, Mangan and Breitenstein, included three members after Foust and Mangan won a trivia contest that earned them an additional writer.

Foust said his work is often inspired by real-life experiences.

“Art imitates life and life imitates art,” Foust said. “I try to draw inspiration from current events and people I’ve met. We’re all mosaics of people we used to know.”

After writing their scripts, teams coached actors and rehearsed before the final performances. At the end of the night, audience members voted on awards, including best play.

“Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” earned top honors after incorporating a full musical number with original lyrics and composition.

Burns and Bosworth shared advice for students interested in participating in future playfests.

“My biggest advice is really cliché, but just have fun,” Burns said. “Don’t expect everything to be taken super seriously. Be silly and creative. Also, plan for when your actors inevitably forget a line.”

Bosworth encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I’d highly recommend the 24-hour playfest for anyone interested in writing, directing or acting,” he said. “It’s the perfect way to try something new and meet amazing people.”

News

especially given the timing.

“It’s cold, it’s windy, it’s a Tuesday afternoon,” Baquera said.

“ICE is completely out of control,” Maldonado said. “They’re destroying our families. They’re destroying our communities.”

Maldonado described fear not as a distant concept, but as something that dictates routine.

“The Latino community is in fear right now,” she said. “People are afraid to even go to the grocery store. They’re afraid to take their kids to school.” She said the walkout was intentional, meant to draw attention to the role immigrant labor plays in sustaining the country.

“A lot of people who are immigrants go to work every single day,” Maldonado said. “That’s how they give to this country. Walking out today is saying this country wouldn’t survive without our labor.”

As people gathered outside the ballpark, signs addressed a range of issues — immigration, LGBTQ rights, education and democracy — though many attendees said immigration was at the center of their decision to show up.

For Katlyn Ward, the march was about standing in for people who could not safely attend.

“I’m here for immigration,” Ward said. “A lot of people that I love don’t have voices right now.”

Ward said she learned about the march through a flyer and felt compelled to attend after noticing what she described as limited visibility around immigration issues.

“I just want to see people from different lives and different upbringings here for one common thing,” she said. “Life for everyone.”

Ward said showing up felt like a responsibility rather than a statement.

“With my privilege and with my voice, it’s my responsibility to speak up,” she said.

For others, the march was tied directly to personal loss.

Fernando Baquera, a public school teacher and DACA recipient, said immigration enforcement is not a theoretical debate for his family.

“I’ve had a family member deported by ICE,” Baquera said.

Baquera said he worries less about his own situation and more about others who lack resources or legal protections.

“I fear this being taken away for other people,” he said. “Not for myself.”

He said the turnout surprised him,

“People have jobs. People have responsibilities. This really speaks volumes.”

Baquera said attending the march was also about the students he works with.

“I’m a public school teacher,” he said. “I’m representing not just my family, but the kids I interact with every single day.”

For some attendees, Tuesday marked their first time participating in a protest.

Brittany, who declined to provide her last name, said she attended because she believes democratic norms are being tested.

“This is just one way I can show up for people who are oppressed right now,” she said.

Brittany said immigration enforcement has been mischaracterized in public discussion.

“Immigration is a civil matter,” she said. “Most people being detained are not criminals.”

She said taking time off work to attend was not easy, but felt necessary.

“Showing up matters,” she said.

“Even just being here matters.”

National organizers said the Oklahoma City march reflected broader unrest across the country, as communities respond to increased enforcement and federal actions that have drawn national attention in recent weeks.

Carmona said the goal of the walkouts was not immediate policy change, but visibility.

“Our vision with this is not to change people’s minds,” she said. “It’s to show that we’re here.”

She said history shows that collective action can take many forms.

“Walkouts are a tactic that have worked broadly against authoritarian regimes,” Carmona said. “They force recognition.”

As the march began, protesters moved through downtown Oklahoma City, chanting and carrying signs as onlookers stopped to watch. Some joined along the route.

Organizers said the action was designed to be accessible — allowing people to participate for as long as they were able.

For Maldonado, the day represented more than protest.

“This is what democracy looks like,” she said.

She said visibility itself was the goal.

“We’re here,” Maldonado said. “And we’re not going anywhere.”

A person with a sign reading “ICE out for good” and “we had whistles they had guns.”

GOD’S VIEW OF US!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:9-10 NIV)

It is good to stop and see who and where we are. This is what the apostle says of all believers. Those who have turned to Christ and received him as their Lord and saviour. By God’s grace, we have received a new relationship with God. It is quite a step up from where we were before. We have received mercy and are God’s people. We belong to him! However, there is a purpose in all of this.

We are to realize all that God has done for us and praise him who has called us out of spiritual darkness into his wonderful light. He has not only forgiven our many sins, never to be remembered any more, but has brought into a new relationship. We are children of God! We are to live with him forever in his Heaven. The wonderful truth is that all can come to Christ and receive this wonderful relationship with the God of love!. No matter about your past. All are welcome to come. Christ died for all that they might receive this great and eternal blessing.. Wow!

As Christians we can and should share this message with all. I remember first sharing this with two fellow air force men As I begin to share, there was a great joy.that filled my being. No wonder it is called the “Gospel”. It is the “Good News” that is for you and all people.

Martin Luther King jr. March

statewide Immigration protests

January 23, 2026

Remember the Ten brings ‘passionate’ gameday at GIA

Oklahoma State’s game this weekend is a big opportunity for the Cowboys to boost their resume.

It’s also an even better opportunity for OSU to participate in something the school takes much more pride in than a basketball game.

On Saturday, the Cowboys will host No. 9 Iowa State at 3 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena in their annual Remember the Ten game, when OSU honors the 10 players and staff who died in a plane crash in January 2001 each season.

“The biggest thing is just how passionate people are about that terrible day,” Cowboys coach Steve Lutz said. “Not only the families of the people who were lost, but just the people in Stillwater and the people at Oklahoma State, specifically in the athletic department.”

Lutz’s first Remember the Ten game was last season against Colorado, a game OSU won 8373. Lutz spent time beforehand sharing with Cowboy players the importance of Remember the Ten and the significance it holds within the Stillwater community.

But with only three returning players from last year’s roster, Lutz has several new faces to pass along an impactful message to — something Lutz said is “absolutely” special to get to do.

“You’re just continuing to enlighten young people,” Lutz said. “It’s a tragic story, but we’ve turned it into something that’s very positive.”

on page 3B

‘I just started to wake up’

the stat sheet as often as many anticipated it to be.

After Stailee Heard was the catalyst of Oklahoma State the past two seasons, many expected her success to carry over this year, but her season got off to a rocky start.

During OSU’s nonconference slate, Heard’s name was not in

Heard was averaging 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, far off her numbers from a year ago when she recorded 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds a night.

As a preseason Unanimous AllBig 12 Selection and a member of the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year watchlist, Heard’s

performance was underwhelming compared to her expectations, but that all changed when the calendar turned to 2026.

In OSU’s Jan. 7 contest against TCU, Heard played all 40 minutes for the first time this season, and posted her best outing of the year, scoring 23 points.

Meet the ‘Juice Boys’: the gameday hype-men duo for the Cowgirls

Oklahoma State women’s basketball managers have transformed quiet pregame routines into one of the rowdiest locker rooms in women’s basketball, fueled by skits and high-energy performances.

Senior managers Max Cheap and Ashwin Thapa — known in the program as “The Juice Boys” — have become a key part of gameday energy inside the Cowgirls’ locker room. What started as a task from assistant coach Kelby Jones to “bring the juice” during practice has blossomed into a viral tradition featured on ESPN, fueling team morale and building a following across campus and social media.

Cheap and Thapa started their “Juice Boy” journey through the OSU program, originally on staff as practice players before transitioning into manager roles. Both grew up competitive and often around basketball — Cheap played two years of junior college ball in Kansas, and Thapa competed at Sand Springs High School, an hour away from Stillwater.

“They called this thing before the game hype, and they just wanted us to hype the girls up, just to like go in there and scream and be loud,” Thapa said. “Then we just started getting creative with it and it just took off from there.”

See JUICE on page 4B

OSU wrestling finds success at Cyclone Open; Sunday dual postponed

Oklahoma State wrestling typically spends its regular season focused on the starting lineup, but an open weekend on the schedule created an opportunity to gain valuable mat time.

The Cowboys sent eight wrestlers to the Cyclone Open in Ames, Iowa, while two more competed at the Roger Denker Open in Warrensburg, Missouri.

With OSU now firmly in midseason form, coach David Taylor emphasized the importance of finding creative ways to keep the entire roster competing.

“You get to this point of the season, you want to make sure everyone’s competing,” Taylor said. “We got to kind of get a little creative in the open tournaments that we go to, got to travel a little bit. But I thought it was good.

“I was really happy with the kids who went to the Cyclone Open. We’ve been working on some stuff as a program, and I thought we did a pretty good job executing those things.”

One of the biggest standouts in Ames was freshman Jax Forrest.

Forrest cruised through his first two bouts with technical falls by a combined score of 36–5 before pinning his semifinal opponent in the first period.

Waiting for him in the final was 27-year-old Reineri Andreu Ortega, a two-time U23 world champion from Cuba.

Despite the experience gap, Forrest stayed composed. The 19-year-old scored an escape and a takedown in the third period to secure a 4–0 decision and win the Cyclone Open title.

“(Forrest) looked good,” Taylor said. “I think he was able to just get a couple more matches. Obviously, you have this electric one here, and not every time you wrestle is going to be like that. Trying to give him kind of a well-rounded opportunity to kind of see what it’s like.

“(The final) was a good match for Jax. He demonstrated some really good patience, and then his scrambling ability was the differencemaker.”

Gary Steen (125), Cutter Sheets (157) and Austin Johnson (197) also finished first at the Cyclone Open, while Ronnie Ramirez (133) won his bracket at the Roger Denker Open.

With Forrest competing unattached, the Cyclone Open counted as his second competition date of the season, leaving him with three remaining before OSU must decide whether to preserve his redshirt.

Taylor said that decision will come later.

“He’s got five dates and we just want to give him a well-rounded experience,” Taylor said. “You got home matches, you got away matches, you got a tournament, you go wrestle. And we just got to keep kind of figuring that stuff out.”

Lockett set to return

The Cowboys are expected to regain a key piece of the starting lineup.

LaDarion Lockett was unavailable for OSU’s Jan. 11 dual against Oklahoma due to what Taylor called a “minor” injury.

After a weekend off from team competition, the Cowboys are set for a two-dual slate beginning Friday, where the second-ranked 165-pounder will return to the mat.

Lockett will also look to remain undefeated and improve to 9-0 once he returns. Some of Lockett’s top wins include victories against Iowa’s Michael Caliendo and Stanford’s Hunter Gardin.

“Dee will be back,” Taylor said. “He (dealt with a) little bruise thing, but he’ll be back this weekend, which we’re excited to get him back in the lineup.”

Utah Valley dual canceled Oklahoma State wrestling’s weekend plans have changed.

The Big 12 conference announced on Thursday that Sunday’s dual at Gallagher-Iba Arena between OSU and Utah Valley has been postponed due to expected inclement weather.

The two schools will attempt to reschedule the dual for a later date in Stillwater.

While the Cowboys will not host a dual this weekend, OSU will continue with its dual on Friday at Missouri.

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Cowboys prepping for Missouri dual

No. 5 Oklahoma State heads into a challenging dual weekend, as it travels to No. 18 Missouri on Friday.

The Cowboys have been riding high at 9–1 overall and 4–0 in Big 12 play, but Friday’s dual in Columbia presents one of two tough road tests remaining before March.

Missouri (8-6, 2-1 Big 12) brings nine ranked wrestlers into the dual and has a track record of making home matches tough and physical.

“We go to Missouri on Friday, and we have some exciting matches to look forward to,” coach David Taylor said. “We’ve got to get ready for all 10 of them.”

OSU has historically handled the Tigers well, holding a 47-8-1 series advantage and riding a three-dual win streak, including a 36-3 victory last season. Still, Taylor emphasized that past results mean little with a young lineup.

“Everywhere we go, we just have to build and match the intensity level of our opponents,” Taylor said. “There’s no real opportunity to take anything for granted.”

OSU’s dual against Missouri will feature the biggest matchups in the

backend of the lineup, but there will be one match to look out for between a freshman phenom and a former Cowboy.

At 157 pounds, No. 6 Landon Robideau is expected to face No. 15 Teague Travis, a former Cowboy who transferred to Missouri earlier this season. Travis is a two-time NCAA qualifier and spent multiple seasons in Stillwater before transferring in December.

“I think just really go out and wrestle,” Taylor said. “The minute he decided to go wrestle somewhere else, he’s not on our team anymore. He knows that.

“One of those things where you’re excited to see him, but you gotta go wrestle against them and then we’ll move on.”

At 184 pounds, the spotlight falls on No. 8 Zack Ryder against No. 3 Aeoden Sinclair in what shapes up as the dual’s biggest matchup.

There are two more marquee matchups to glance at, as No. 7 Alex Facundo will see No. 10 Cam Steed at 174, while No. 7 Cody Merrill draws No. 12 Evan Bates at 197.

Outside of Ryder, the rest of the Cowboys’ lineup will enter the dual as favorites to win their matches.

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REMAINING 2026 OSU WRESTLING SCHEDULE

JAN. 23: AT MISSOURI

JAN. 30: VS NORTHERN IOWA

FEB. 1: VS IOWA STATE

FEB. 6: VS LITTLE ROCK

FEB. 15: AT VIRGINIA TECH

FEB. 22: VS IOWA

MARCH 6-7: BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIPS

MARCH 19-21: NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Continued from 1

OSU guard Kirk Cole — a senior who grew up in Yukon — has long been familiar with Remember the Ten, having lived in Oklahoma for most of his life.

And as he enters his second Remember the Ten game as a Cowboy player, Cole said he’s still amazed and “touched” by how well OSU has continued to honor Kendall Durfey, Bjorn Fahlstrom, Nate Fleming, Will Hancock, Daniel Lawson, Brian Luinstra, Denver Mills, Pat Noyes, Bill Teegins and Jared Weiberg.

“I think this university has done a really good job of holding onto that (history),” Cole said. “… It’s just a really important piece of this program, and I’m glad they haven’t let go of that.”

Saturday’s game will be the second meeting of the season between the Cyclones and the Cowboys in the last two weeks.

ISU defeated OSU 83-71 on Jan. 10 in Ames — a game in which OSU trailed by only six with 5:25 remaining.

That loss also marked the Cowboys’ lowest point total of the season before their 68-65 loss to TCU on Tuesday.

Since that defeat, OSU has gone 1-2 with losses to Baylor and the

Frogs and a home victory against Kansas State. The Cowboys have struggled defensively in that stretch, giving up 94 points to the Bears and 83 to the Wildcats.

Now, though, OSU has a chance to bounce back and improve to 3-4 in Big 12 Conference play on a gameday that holds more weight than others.

“That’s a challenge because it’s a quick turnaround,” OSU guard Kanye Clary said. “They got to fix the stuff they think they need to work on, and we got to do the same as far as going into the matchup. I think it’s going to be a good game, and it should be a good crowd.”

Cade Cunningham continues to pick up wellearned accolades.

The NBA announced on Monday the starters for the 2026 All-Star Game. In the Eastern Conference, Cunningham, a former Oklahoma State Cowboy, was voted in as a starter for the first time in his career.

It’s also the second straight All-Star selection for Cunningham, who’s continued to elevate each year in the pros — so much so that he’s quickly climbing up the all-time ranks among the greatest OSU players in NBA history.

At just 24 years old, Cunningham has guided the Detroit Pistons to the best record in the Eastern Conference. He’s averaging 25.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 9.8 assists and is second in the league in assists, trailing only Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

Cunningham’s youth — having only been in the pros for four full seasons — makes it difficult to anoint him today as the best OSU NBA player ever, ahead of a John Starks or a Marcus Smart — players with full careers and multiple playoff moments.

But it’s also safe to say Cunningham is already on the Mount Rushmore with Smart, Starks and Tony Allen. And in only a couple of years, if not less, Cunningham will probably claim the No. 1 spot with the trajectory he’s on.

Cunningham is already the only Cowboy ever to make an All-NBA team — an honor given to the league’s best 15 players each season — and became the first OSU player since Starks in 1994 to make the All-Star team last season.

Some might say that Cunningham should be this good, given that he was a No. 1 overall pick in the draft. But it’s also fair to say that he may still be overperforming with how quickly he’s become a superstar after battling injuries in his second and third seasons.

Players like Starks, Smart and Allen each had great careers and were key pieces to their respective teams. But no player in OSU’s history has gone to the NBA and impacted the trajectory of a franchise like Cunningham has — that alone is why he will soon be the top NBA Cowboy.

The Pistons finished 14-68 two seasons ago and hadn’t made the playoffs since the 2018-19 season. They were the team everybody laughed at, too, after posting a 28-game losing streak.

But once Detroit surrounded Cunningham with improved shooting and rebounding, he immediately elevated the team and guided the Pistons to a 44-38 season with a playoff appearance last season.

Now, Cunningham could emerge as an MVP finalist and has the Pistons off to their second-best start through 40 games. Detroit also has the fifthbest odds to win the NBA title on FanDuel.

Most of that is on the heels of Cunningham, and he’s not even in his prime yet. It’s hard to imagine he won’t continue to improve and become OSU’s best NBA player ever in the near future.

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OSU men’s basketball midseason report card

Believe it or not, the last time the Cowboys made it to the NCAA Tournament was 2021.

In coach Steve Lutz’s second season, that dream is within reach. The Cowboys (14-5, 2-4) started the year undefeated through their first 11 games but have gone 3-5 since.

A win or loss from this point could be the difference between making the tournament or not. With the season more than halfway done, room for error is slim, but the opportunity remains wide open.

Here is the midseason report card.

Coaching: B+

If you were to tell fans before the year that the Cowboys were 14-5 through their first 19 games, most would be pleasantly surprised.

However, the November and December wins seem to be a distant memory as Big 12 play continues to be an obstacle. This includes road games, as Lutz has yet to beat a Big 12 team on the road.

Oklahoma State University’s defense has struggled recently, allowing more than 84 points per game in six conference games, and the offense, which looked unstoppable in the first two months, is averaging slightly more than 78 points in league play.

“I do believe if we do better defensively, we can make a run in the Big 12 and get to the NCAA tournament,” Lutz said.

There is still a lot of season to be played, so just because Lutz has made it before he can not, but if the Cowboys do not make the tournament, it will be because of a lack of Big 12 wins, including road games.

Backcourt: B+

If this grade were based purely on offense, it would be much higher. Vyctorius Miller, Anthony Roy and Kanye Clary have been strong scorers for the Cowboys. However, rebounds, turnovers and defense have been inconsistent.

When these guys are on, the Cowboys can compete at a high level.

Consistency from Isaiah Coleman would be a major step for the group. He is averaging 7.7 points, a sharp drop from 15.6 a year ago at Seton Hall.

Consistency and shot selection remain the biggest questions for the group. When things go right, they go well, but when they go wrong, it can unravel.

“To be honest with you, we’ve got to get more production rebounding-wise from our guards,” Lutz said. “We just do.”

Frontcourt: B-

Frontcourt depth was a main question heading into the season, and the concerns were mostly true. It’s Parsa Fallah and that’s it. Now, Fallah is tremendous, leading the team in rebounds (6.5) and second in points (14.4). He has been the best Cowboy big in quite some time.

This is a scary spot to be in if Fallah gets in foul trouble or gets hurt. Andrija Vukovic, Fallah’s backup, struggled early in the season, especially when rotating on defense. Recently, Vukovic has seemed to settle into his role, scoring 11 points versus Kansas State.

Cristian Coleman has played the four position for most of the year. He dominated early, but that faded, as he has failed to score in double digits in six straight games. If he can become a consistent threat, it would be huge for the Cowboys.

Sports

The nickname and mantra originated from Jones, who routinely challenged the practice squad managers to help the team’s energy levels stay high.

“Kelby said, ‘You guys start bringing some juice,’” Thapa said. “It started during like multiple shootarounds. So we kind of just started going crazy. Then he started calling us the Juice Boys.”

Soon, Cheap and the other managers on staff had printed T-shirts — and a tradition began.

Before every game, OSU coach Jacie Hoyt saves time after her speech to let Cheap and Thapa take over the locker room with skits that may include them jumping over tables, breaking mini hoops or beating up an opponent stuffed mascot, they do whatever it takes to get the women fired up. While some are planned days in advance, most are created on the fly.

“When we played North Texas, we had a poster board and we put two pictures of our coaches, when they used to coach at North Texas and we had one of our assistant coaches run in there and karate kick the poster board and start screaming,” Cheap said.

Their favorite and most famous routine, which involves diving onto a table, quickly became a team favorite.

“That’s probably the best one,” Cheap said. “The table’s been a big one for the girls. They love that one. We’ve done a couple tables for the bigger games,”

They have only broken “two so far,” and are “waiting for some big games this year to bring it back out.” Thapa said.

However, not every stunt is as successful as planned. One

attempt featuring a trident from Arizona State and a balloon with a tack ended with Cheap, as he told it, “completely whiffing,” which made him the laughing stock of the locker room.

But any attempt to get the women hype fuels the team.

“We don’t do that much, but to see us impact the way they get hyped up is pretty cool,” Thapa said.

Their pregame antics moved outside of Stillwater last season after women’s basketball analyst Rebecca Lobo got an assist from Hoyt about the managers’ role in pregame hype, and ESPN cameras aired the Juice Boys’ stunt featuring Cheap, Thapa, and a now graduated Braydn Mosley.

“I had a bunch of family members text me saying I was on TV,” Cheap said. “A bunch of family members, friends, and then we kind of blew up on Twitter.” Thapa said.

The two responded by creating an Instagram account that highlights their stunts and continues to grow with each new performance.

Their Instagram account, @okstatejuiceboys has 13 posts and 612 followers while only following six accounts, giving fans a frontrow seat to their pregame stunts and helping the tradition continue to go viral.

But the Juice Boys’ antics don’t just bring laughs or followers. Since their ESPN feature, the Cowgirls have gone 16–4, a run noted by OSU Athletics that highlights the team’s energized start to each game.

The national attention, as well as their presence on the OSU bench, naturally brings criticism from opposing teams and their fans from time to time.

“We played South Dakota State and they weren’t very fond of

us,” Thapa said. “We’ve definitely gotten heckled… Because of us just being loud and at West Virginia, we got heckled. Oh, last year, in Utah, at BYU, we got heckled. So there’s been times.” National media, as well as media in Stillwater, have taken great notice of the Juice Boys and they are liking the twist they bring before the Cowgirls hit the hardwood.

Cheap and Thapa are set to join retired Juice Boy Mosley as OSU alumni after the school year ends. Cheap, an exercise science major, plans on staying in college basketball with a dream of becoming a coach. Thapa’s plans after graduation consist of also staying in the sport close to home and would welcome a reunion and coaching in the gym he played in at Sand Springs High School.

Cheap and Thapa know their time as the Juice Boys is coming to an end, but the tradition and standard for hype they built will live on. With the next manager “in the initiation phase right now,” the energy and creativity that carry OSU’s pregame hype will continue to grow.

The next Juice Boy has “kind of got to fill some pretty big shoes,” Cheap said, but the foundation has been set.

As they prepare to leave Stillwater, Cheap and Thapa’s impact goes beyond stunts and locker-room antics. They have become a sign of energy, laughter and team culture, which is evidence that sometimes the loudest voices on the bench can matter just as much as those on the court. As long as OSU needs juice, Max Cheap and Ashwin Thapa will keep bringing it.

“We definitely feel like, if we don’t have a good hype, we’re not going to play good,” Thapa said.

Sports

Wooten’s smooth offensive game an X-factor for OSU Cowgirls

finished the game with 21 points, eight assists, three steals and seven rebounds.

Jadyn Wooten entered the 202526 season looking to build off from her outstanding freshman year that saw her get named to the Big 12 AllFreshman team.

So far, Wooten has lived up to those expectations.

In her sophomore campaign, the Oklahoma State guard has distributed out 107 assists (5.4 assists per game) and has been a consistent X-factor, averaging 13 points.

While this Cowgirls squad has made its living by firing away from behind the 3-point line, Wooten has found her success with mid-range shots.

This season, OSU is 7-4 in games when making less than 10 3-pointers, which occurred against St. John’s, Charlotte, Miami (FL), North Texas, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Colorado and Kansas.

Wooten stepped up against Miami in the Cayman Islands Classic on Nov. 29. In the first quarter, she converted two free throws and a mid-range jumpshot and was the leader of a low-scoring output from the team in the second quarter with four points on pull-up jumpers.

Wooten also helped OSU cut the deficit to one point with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter with an assist to Haleigh Timmer for a 3.

Against Tulsa, Wooten struggled to find her scoring rhythm in the first half and it would be the same for her in the second half. But she was still contributing with five assists and three rebounds (3 offensive rebounds) in OSU’s 90-58 bounceback win over TU.

When Houston came to Stillwater on Jan. 3, Wooten had a decent first quarter, but she really turned it up in the second quarter by contributing on all ends with six points, three assists, a steal and two rebounds. Wooten

Cowgirls coach Jacie Hoyt spoke after the Houston game about how much of an impact Wooten’s midrange shot has on the game and how much she has grown overall in her sophomore year.

“I think that’s probably her most elite skill,” Hoyt said. “I think Jadyn is making a very strong case already for Sixth Woman of the Year. Her midrange is automatic, it’s my job to get her to that spot as much as possible, and she’s finding different ways to do that.”

After OSU’s dominant win over Iowa State, Cyclones head coach Bill Fennelly spoke about how her midrange jumper is so hard for opposing teams to stop.

“She’s got a really strong dribble off the screen,” Fennelly said. “She gets to her spot and then she’s kind of leaning backwards a little bit. Even when you switch it, which we did a few times, she can still elevate it enough and get it over a taller defender. If she gets her body on you and she gets you into a screen, you got a problem.”

On Thursday, leading up to the road game against CU, Wooten mentioned what has helped her find confidence and get into a stride with her mid-range shot.

“It’s kind of something I’ve known that I had a gift in,” Wooten said.

“Taking a step deeper into my faith and my love for Jesus is helping me find confidence in that. But also just my coaches and teammates, they don’t stop telling me to shoot the ball when I get to the mid-range, and they have this joke where they say midrange for me is a layup. And so it’s not really an option, when I get to the mid-range it’s got to go up and I just found confidence in that.”

TCU was one of Heard’s best outings of the season, she also had a noticeable appearance change on the court.

She followed the outing against the Horned Frogs with a 21-point performance against Colorado on Jan. 11, the first time she scored 20-plus in consecutive games this season.

In those two games, Heard leaned on what she has found success with in the past — playing with aggression.

“(The coaches) have been talking to me about (being aggressive) since the season started, but I guess I just started to wake up once conference play got here,” Heard said.

While Heard was in a rut, she credits her teammates for helping her find her footing.

“It just goes back to my teammates,” Heard said. “They just have all the belief in me and they just keep pouring in confidence.”

While the contest against

Throughout her career, Heard has worn a long sleeve compression shirt under her jersey, but against TCU, she scrapped the sleeves and has yet to play a game in them since.

While the sleeves may not have an effect, Heard’s facial expressions have.

Cowgirls coach Jacie Hoyt has seen Heard start to play more with more emotion and has witnessed a spark in the competitive fire that ignites her star player.

“When she’s smiling and she’s just loving competition, that’s when you know she’s in her element and at her best,” Hoyt said. “I think that Stailee realizes that this game has given her a lot and she’s given the game a lot, but this is kinda her safe space, this is what she loves more than anything in life, just being part

OSU 2026 football schedule announced

years from 2012-24.

Eric Morris and Oklahoma State will begin conference play at West Virginia in 2026.

On Wednesday, the Big 12 announced conference schedules for each team, finalizing the Cowboys’ full slate for next season. OSU will play six home games and six away games.

OSU opens the season Sept. 5 when it travels to Tulsa before returning to Stillwater for a game against Oregon. It marks the first time the Cowboys will host the Ducks, who are fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance.

OSU’s nonconference play rounds out with a game against Murray State at Boone Pickens Stadium on Sept. 19. Then the Cowboys will travel to Morgantown to renew a series against WVU that was played for 13 straight

After an open week, OSU will return to Boone Pickens Stadium Oct. 10 to host UCF — the Knights’ first trip to Stillwater.

OSU’s homecoming game is set for Oct. 24, when the Cowboys host Colorado and coach Deion Sanders. It will be the Buffaloes’ first game at Boone Pickens Stadium since 2009. Following its homecoming game against CU, OSU has back-to-back road games against Iowa State on Oct. 31 and Kansas State on Nov. 7. It’s the Cowboys’ only two-game road stretch of the season.

OSU then returns to Stillwater for a Nov. 14 matchup with Texas Tech, the 2025 Big 12 Champion, before hitting the road again to face Arizona State on Nov. 21. The Cowboys close the regular season at home against Kansas on Nov. 28.

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FULL 2026 OSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

SEPT. 5: AT TULSA

SEPT. 12: OREGON

SEPT. 19: MURRAY STATE

SEPT. 26: AT WEST VIRGINIA

OCT. 3: OPEN WEEK

OCT. 10: UCF

OCT. 17: AT HOUSTON

OCT. 24: COLORADO (HOMECOMING)

OCT. 31: AT IOWA STATE

NOV. 7: AT KANSAS STATE

NOV. 14: TEXAS TECH

NOV. 21: AT ARIZONA STATE

NOV. 28: KANSAS

of a team (and) competing.

“I think she was not really able to do that early on in the year, and what we’ve seen is her get that love and that passion back… When she’s playing with that joy and that competitive will, she’s so fun to watch.”

Playing with that passion helped lead Heard to a recordbreaking outing on Jan. 18 against then No. 19 Iowa State.

Against the Cyclones, Heard’s name went down in the OSU record-books, as she recorded the third tripledouble in Cowgirl history.

Not only did Heard make OSU history, but she also made Big 12 and NCAA Division 1 history.

Heard scored 18 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in OSU’s 86-58 statement win over the Cyclones.

With these stats, she became the first Big 12 player since the turn of the century to record 15 points, 15 rebounds and

10 assists in a game, as well as being the second D1 player this century to record these numbers against a Top 25 team.

After a rough freshman year and a rocky start to her junior campaign, Hoyt believes Heard’s triple-double was wellearned.

“She’s just the most deserving person,” Hoyt said. “She’s just so special as a person. I think that’s where I wish people understood just how unique she is, because she really is selfless and she is so loyal. That girl’s just been making history, literally on her back, we have done all the things. Obviously, a lot of people have played their part to help that, but I just think that when you work hard and are loyal to a lot of the things kids aren’t loyal to anymore, great things are going to come your way.”

With her historic performance came a week of honors for the Saplupa native.

Heard was named the Naismith Trophy Player of the Week on Monday, the Big 12 Player of the Week on Tuesday and the USBWA’s National Player of the Week on Wednesday.

While Heard’s ability on the court has garnished recognition, Hoyt said that one thing she enjoys about Heard is her ability to lead when she’s on the bench.

“I think that’s my favorite quality about Stailee,” Hoyt said. “Of all the qualities I love about her, I do feel like she’s an extension of me, and that’s just so great to have as a coach, where you don’t have to say everything.”

As one of two players that have been with Hoyt for three years, Heard takes pride in being one of the leaders for the Cowgirls.

“I’m a leader on this team, so I have to lead by example,” Heard said. “Whatever it takes to win, I’m willing to do.”

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