Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso talks to her workforce throughout the 2022 Massive 12 Event. (AP Photograph/Sue Ogrocki)
The Oklahoma softball workforce is aware of it has a goal on its again. That comes with the territory if you're the defending nationwide champion.
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Because the Sooners enter the 2022 Ladies's Faculty World Sequence because the nation's No. 1 workforce, this system's tradition of perception helps the gamers keep targeted and keep away from any exterior stress or distraction. The workforce adopted “AO1” as their mantra this season, which means they play for the “Viewers of One”. That “one” is, after all, Jesus.
This helps them bear in mind who they're taking part in for, why they're taking part in the sport and the teammates they're taking part in with, workforce chaplain Sarah Roberts informed Sports activities Spectrum.
“You’ll be able to deal with the waves hitting you, or you’ll be able to deal with God holding you,” mentioned Roberts, a latest visitor on Sports activities Spectrum's “Contained in the Chapel” podcast. “Nevertheless it's your alternative. We talked about, 'The place are you targeted as we speak?'”
At all times good to be again nose to nose… these ladies are superior and fairly good at softball too! Love them a lot! pic.twitter.com/YuRDNCoP7u
— Sarah L Roberts (@fcasarahroberts) May 14, 2022
The Sooners (54-2) are heavy favorites to win the title, however the two groups that beat them this season — Texas and Oklahoma State — are additionally within the area. If Oklahoma wins its first double-elimination sectional sport towards No. 9 Northwestern on Thursday, it may face Texas within the second spherical. Oklahoma State, which knocked off the Sooners within the Massive 12 championship sport, might be ready there in a best-of-three championship collection.
All through the Sooners' dominance on the sphere, this yr's chapels targeted on taking part in for Jesus and what it means to be a great teammate, Roberts mentioned. They mentioned the biblical tales about David and what it means to enter battle with somebody and for somebody. They studied the story from the Guide of Luke concerning the 10 lepers and what it seems to be like when Jesus is on the middle of what they do.
They even noticed comic Michael Junior's well-known “Know Your Why” speech.
However this yr's workforce was profitable due to its Christian management, Roberts mentioned. That begins on the prime with head coach Patty Gasso, now in her twenty eighth season on the helm for Oklahoma. This system doesn't get to the place it’s spiritually with no sturdy religious chief, mentioned Roberts, who has labored with Gasso for 17 years.
“Her religion is de facto what drives this workforce,” Roberts mentioned. “Her religion is what permits me to do what I do, however she's on the helm. I simply need individuals to grasp. They will see all of the glory, however they don't see how a lot he actually loves the Lord and these youngsters. A number of instances they don't see the story behind it.”
Throughout Gass' profession, many gamers below her steerage got here to know the Lord and gave their lives to Christ. This pattern continued this yr as nicely. Sophomore shortstop Tiare Jennings and sophomore left fielder Alyssa Brito (switch from Oregon) each gave their lives to Christ and had been baptized this season.
Sophomore middle fielder Jayda Coleman introduced on Instagram that she gave her life to Christ on Easter Sunday and plans to be baptized after the season ends.
This yr's workforce is much like groups of the previous in that it boasts a lot of believers on the roster. One distinction this yr, Roberts mentioned, is what number of of them are usually not simply Christians, however Christian leaders. She pointed to the three captains — seniors Grace Lyons, Jana Johns and Lynnsie Elam — because the individuals who spearheaded that mission and helped domesticate the workforce's persona and character whereas main with their religion.
When different college students their age are going out or hanging out with associates, Roberts mentioned the three use their time to talk at church buildings, Fellowship of Christian Athletes gatherings or different occasions that permit them to share the gospel.
“That's their function, to steer others to Christ by way of the sport of softball,” Roberts mentioned. “That's their function.
They’re additionally usually attacked by adults in this system, equivalent to Gasso and Roberts. This yr has been particularly about the place they’re focusing.
“Is it on social media? Is it on the pedestal that the world has you on, or is it on the platform that God has given you? We actually deal with Jesus,” Roberts mentioned. “Virtually, how do you do it? One of many issues we talked about is that it's exhausting to fall off the human pedestal when your face is on the bottom earlier than God.
“So, what does it virtually seem like? While you begin your day earlier than God, do you scroll by way of social media or pray? Are you opening your alerts or are you opening the Phrase of God? On this means, we focus not on who the world says we’re, however on who God says we’re.”
Roberts hopes that as individuals watch these Sooners play, they’ll see the work God is doing within the hearts of gamers who additionally wish to win.
“He actually used the sport of softball to carry these ladies to a Jesus-centered program and used this system to seize their hearts,” she mentioned.
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