Oklahoma

What will 2025 bring for Oklahoma State athletics? We make 25 bold predictions for Pokes

Published

1 year ago

December 29, 2024

What will 2025 bring for Oklahoma State athletics? We make 25 bold predictions for Pokes

STILLWATER — The new year is always a good time for prognostication.

Oklahoma State enters the 2025 calendar year with a mix of excitement, hope and curiosity — and maybe a hint of anxiousness — depending on the sport you’re following.

So let’s dive into what’s ahead for the Cowboys and Cowgirls with 25 predictions for 2025:

Football

1. A 9-win season for the Pokes

After a dramatic and difficult offseason, coach Mike Gundy and his rebuilt coaching staff turn the Cowboys around. They triple their win total from 2024, posting a nine-win season and contending for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game until the final weekend of the regular season.

2. Rodney Fields Jr. has a breakout year

A native of Wright City and a graduate of Del City High School, Fields becomes a homegrown star, rushing for over 1,000 yards in his redshirt freshman season.

3. Malik Charles is Big 12’s top defensive newcomer

The Cowboy defense’s breakout player will be one who has yet to play a major college snap. OSU fans, familiarize yourself with West Georgia transfer Malik Charles, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end who didn’t fully dedicate himself to football until after high school.

4. Gabe Panikowski contends for another trophy

New OSU placekicker Gabe Panikowski is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award one year after he won the Fred Mitchell Award as college football’s top kicker below the FBS level.

5. A speedy NFL combine showing for Korie Black

Korie Black runs a top-five time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, helping to boost his draft stock.

6. Ollie Gordon II goes early in the NFL Draft

Also benefiting from a strong performance at the combine, running back Ollie Gordon II is the first Cowboy selected in the NFL Draft, going in the second round.

7. Six Pokes drafted

Receiver Brennan Presley is picked in the seventh round of the draft, making it six former Pokes to be chosen in the three-day event.

Wrestling

8. OSU wrestling back atop Big 12

With several wrestlers making deep runs through their brackets, OSU returns to the top of the Big 12 with a championship at the BOK Center in Tulsa, edging Missouri and Arizona State in the championship session.

9. Four Cowboys reach NCAA wrestling finals

With four wrestlers reaching the NCAA finals, the Cowboys finish second to Penn State in the chase for a national title, announcing themselves as a legit threat to the Nittany Lions’ dynasty.

10. Special recognition for David Taylor

In his first season leading the Cowboys, David Taylor is named college wrestling coach of the year after guiding OSU to a resurgent season that establishes the basis of the program’s expectations going forward.

Women’s basketball

11. A 3-pointer record for the Cowgirls

Cowgirl basketball sets the Big 12 record for 3-pointers in a game with 21 — if not more. They’ve already tied the record of 20 in a game earlier this season, and Micah Gray set the OSU record, making 10 in a game.

12. A ‘W’ in the Big Dance

The Cowgirls get their first NCAA Tournament win under head coach Jacie Hoyt, who gave birth to her first child, a daughter, in mid-December.

Men’s basketball

13. Four league wins on the hardwood

Despite showing notable improvement on the court, the men’s basketball team ends with the same number of Big 12 wins as it did a year ago. The current version of the conference is a murderers’ row, particularly for a program trying to rebuild.

14. Bryce Thompson to the G League

Getting his professional shot the nearly same way former Cowboy and current Golden State Warrior Lindy Waters III did, OSU guard Bryce Thompson lands on the roster of the NBA G League’s Oklahoma City Blue.

Baseball

15. Nolan Schubart drops 30 bombs

Slugging outfielder Nolan Schubart hits 30 home runs on his rise to being a first-round selection in the MLB Draft.

16. A road regional win for Cowboy baseball

The baseball team fails to earn an NCAA Regional host berth as a top-16 seed, but advances to the Super Regional round on the road, falling one win short of a spot in the Men’s College World Series.

17. Happy Holliday goes No. 1

Though he’s committed to OSU, Ethan Holliday never makes it to campus. The nephew of Cowboy coach Josh Holliday follows in the footsteps of older brother Jackson in being selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft.

Softball

18. Karli Godwin sets Cowgirl homer record

Softball’s Karli Godwin breaks the program record for home runs in a season with 21. The record of 20 is held by Sam Show. Godwin hit 15 homers last year, setting the OSU freshman record.

19. Cowgirls conquer Big 12

The softball team asserts its dominance over the new-look Big 12 with an overpowering run to win the regular-season title, followed by a Big 12 Tournament championship as well.

20. Sixth straight WCWS trip

For the sixth straight time, OSU earns a spot in the Women’s College World Series, coming in Kenny Gajewski’s 10th season as coach.

Tennis

21. A banner to hang

Cowgirl tennis brings the school its first NCAA national championship in women’s athletics. OSU won the ITA indoor title last season, but that isn’t an officially recognized NCAA championship.

Equestrian

22. An equestrian five-peat

On its way to another strong showing at nationals, OSU equestrian wins the Big 12 Championship for the fifth straight time.

Golf

23. Elite Eight for men’s golf

Relying on a consistently balanced lineup, Cowboy golf advances to the matchplay bracket as a top-eight team in the NCAA Championships.

Olympics

24. Golden going for gold

Once again showing off her broad athletic talents, former OSU women’s basketball and track athlete Bailey Golden qualifies for the 2026 Olympics as part of the USA Bobsled team.

Facilities

25. New facilities on the horizon

OSU announces that it has the funding for an indoor track facility and a new softball stadium, along with breaking ground on the previously announced Boone Pickens Human Performance Innovation Complex.

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Oklahoma

Elgin’s Ritson Meyer becomes four-time Oklahoma high school wrestling state champion

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Elgin’s Ritson Meyer becomes four-time Oklahoma high school wrestling state champion

The loss was on Ritson Meyer’s mind all week as he prepared for his final state wrestling tournament.

A senior 215-pounder at Elgin, Meyer isn’t used to getting beaten, but he got a wake-up call when he lost against Coweta senior Aiven Robbins by five points in their regional championship match.

For Meyer, it set in that winning his fourth state championship wouldn’t be an easy task.

“I lost to him last week and I’m not a loser, so it was eating on me all week in practice,” Meyer said. “So (in) practice, I really leveled up everything. Everything about it.”

Meyer and Robbins met again on Saturday, this time with the Class 5A state championship on the line.

Intensely focused from the start, Meyer came out aggressive. And although it was another great match, Meyer did just enough to etch his name in the state history books.

Meyer held on to beat Robbins in an 8-7 decision in the new OG&E Coliseum as he claimed his fourth state championship, while Coweta won the team title.

An Abilene Christian football signee, Meyer’s wrestling days are over, but he leaves the sport with satisfaction.

“I came out here — even though it hurt, even though I was tired — I got it done,” Meyer said. “I’m so happy. I got to celebrate with my parents, my family, my friends. It’s a crazy feeling.”

A standout running back and linebacker on the gridiron, Meyer helped his team win the Class 4A state title in football as a junior before Elgin lost to Tuttle 23-20 in the 2025 championship game in December.

It’s a different sport, but that loss fueled Meyer’s wrestling season in a way.

“I like to tell people that wrestling is like offseason football,” Meyer said. “I can’t go out, lose. Everybody wanted me to win this. I won it for the whole entire community. First four-timer at Elgin. And that football (loss) really did eat me alive. It didn’t feel good at all, and I didn’t want that same feeling again.”

Meyer had a great start against Robbins on Saturday and never trailed, but Robbins battled to set up a great finish and both were gassed when it was over.

“I just gave it my all,” Meyer said, “and I got it done.”

This article will be updated.

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at@nicksardis. Sign up forThe Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma leaders react after U.S. and Israel launch joint attack on Iran

Published

14 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma leaders react after U.S. and Israel launch joint attack on Iran

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — State leaders are reacting after the United States launched an attack on Iran Saturday morning.

U.S. Senator James Lankford said he is praying for the safety of the American service members involved in the attack.

“Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and has long threatened the United States and our allies. Today’s military actions underscore the seriousness of that threat and the need to prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Lankford said. “I’m praying for the safety of every American service member involved in these operations and for their families at home. God bless our troops and God bless America.”

Lankford also said that any Americans in the Middle East should keep an eye out for advisories and guidance from the U.S. Department of State.

U.S. Representative Tom Cole released a statement following the attack:

It’s a time of reckoning for those who chant ‘Death to America.’ President Trump is right when he calls the effort to eradicate Iran’s nuclear weapons program and give its people the opportunity to seize their freedom ‘a noble mission.’ The evil Iranian regime has been the leading state sponsor of terror for decades. It has killed thousands of people within and beyond its borders, including hundreds of Americans. It must be defanged and dismantled.

The President did not take this action lightly or impulsively. He has warned Iran repeatedly that it must change its policies and its actions. He has negotiated with Iran in good faith and with great clarity. It was the Iranian regime that chose to ignore those warnings and make a mockery of those negotiations. In doing so, its tyrannical leaders made an enormous miscalculation.

Our Commander in Chief has made clear that his goal is not just to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. It is also to give the Iranian people a chance to take back their country. Self-determination and freedom will be theirs to claim. I hope they will.

Like every American, my thoughts and prayers are with our brave and capable men and women in uniform who are carrying out this noble but hard and dangerous mission. I know that they will have the unwavering support of every American, and I am confident that they will acquit themselves with honor and distinction.

May God protect our troops and the innocent Iranian people – and once again – as He so often has, bless America.

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin said he is praying for the United States’ men and women in uniform in a post on Saturday.

“May God bless and protect our men and women in uniform—the greatest peacekeeping force in the history of the world. Americans are praying for your safety in this mission,” Mullin said.

U.S. Representative Kevin Hern said the Iranian regime is a threat to the U.S. and President Trump was left with no other choice than to take action.

As the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime is an active threat to the United States, our allies, and stability across the Middle East.”

Iran’s refusal to accept a deal left President Trump with no choice other than to take decisive action to ensure the regime never possesses a nuclear weapon. There is no peace without strength, and the United States will not sit by while this regime pursues their nuclear ambitions, fuels their terrorist proxies, and brutalizes the Iranian people. I’m praying for our brave troops in the region. May God bless them, and may God bless the United States.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a social media post that his prayers are with President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth as they work to achieve a safer world.

“God bless and protect the men and women of the United States military engaged in the Middle East this weekend. My prayers are with our military, President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and our Generals, as they use American force to achieve a safer world for the future of our children and grandchildren,” Drummond said.

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Oklahoma County commissioners weigh state audit of jail trust amid detention center woes

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma County commissioners weigh state audit of jail trust amid detention center woes

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (KOKH) — An investigative audit into the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority; it’s something the Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners is considering.

Fox 25 has been covering issues with the Oklahoma County Detention Center for years, from failed inspections to staffing issues and missed paychecks.

The issues had members of the Jail Trust recommending last June they undergo a performance review. Now, in a letter recently issued, county commissioners are asking State Auditor Cindy Byrd to look into the county Criminal Justice Authority, also known as the jail trust. But whether it’s tied to those ongoing issues remains unclear.

“I really wouldn’t know. I wouldn’t know where to begin with that. I just wouldn’t even want to speculate, honestly,” said Commissioner Myles Davidson.

Commissioner Davidson told FOX 25 if the audit were to happen, it wouldn’t be cheap.

“To go into a budget that we’re extremely tight on, and start adding hundreds of thousands of dollars, and time, these audits don’t happen overnight. I don’t know that we would have an answer to any question we could possibly ask before the budgetary cycle is over,” said Davidson.

Davidson said that cycle ends June 1. Instead, he’s suggesting they look into existing audits to see if there’s any useful information there first.

“I would simply say that we need to look at the audits that have been submitted already to the state auditor that the jail trust has already paid for, and then if we have questions about those, we need to bring in that auditing agency and question them. We do have the authority to do that,” Davidsons said.

However, Davidson isn’t sure they have the authority to request this audit.

“When it comes to statute, we have to have it lined out, expressly in statute that we have this authority, and every county commissioner across the state has to abide by that,” he said.

Davidson said they’ll be meeting Monday to find out whether or not they do have the authority to request this audit. He told FOX 25 the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office reached out to folks with Cindy Byrd’s office and was told the audit would cost $100,000, adding that she’s so swamped that she can’t do it this calendar year.

FOX 25 also reached out to Jason Lowe’s office but they said they have no comment.

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