OU Softball Signs Stellar Class

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma Head Softball Coach Patty Gasso announced the signing of six athletes to national letters of intent on Monday. Stacia Aleman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Norrelle Dickson (Orange, Calif.), Jamie Fox (Lafayette, La.), Alison Horne (Fayetteville, Ga.), Jessica Johnson (Lakewood, Calif.) and Amber Spaulding (Fontana, Calif.) will join the Sooners for the 2003-2004 season.

"Most people would agree that we signed one of the top three classes in the nation," said Gasso. "These athletes are very versatile and can play numerous positions. They all possess power and speed."

Oklahoma will graduate five players at the conclusion of the 2003 season. Leah Gulla, Kelli Braitsch, Jennifer Stump, Erin Evans and Tiffany Weight all experienced winning the 2000 National Championship and have powered OU to three consecutive Women's College World Series appearances.

"With this group coming in, I don't feel like we'll miss a beat," said Gasso. "We'll have some young talent but they're a very mature group. Within their four years here in Norman, I think they'll be competing for another national championship."

Stacia Aleman - Oklahoma City, Okla.
Three-year letterwinner at Mustang HS ... Seen action at shortstop, catcher, centerfield and second base ... Coached by Shareen Boyer ... Three-time All-Metro Conference ... First team Big All-City as a senior ... Sooner softball camp Hustle Award ... Also lettered four years in basketball ... National Honor Society ... Valedictorian status all four years of high school ... Daughter of Marcus and Lisa Aleman.

Norrelle Dickson - Orange, Calif.
Named to the US Women's National Team in 2002 ... Three letters in softball at Elmodena HS ... Three-time All-Conference ... Two-time All-County MVP ... First team All-CIFSS ... 2000 Offensive Player of the Year ... Two-time team MVP ... Also lettered four times in basketball ... Three-time All-Conference ... Team MVP in 2001 and 2002 ... Team Offensive Player of the Year in 2000 ... Voted "Most Athletic Female" by class ... Also varsity cross country ... Second team All-Conference ... Has played club soccer since the age of five ... Member of the Olympic Development State Pool Program ... Played for nationally ranked CSL Futbol Club ... Recruited in two sports (softball and basketball) ... Chose Oklahoma over Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Long Beach State, UCLA, CS Fullerton, Florida, North Carolina, Cal-Santa Barbara ... Scholar athlete ... National Honor Society ... Top 50 Freshman ... Daughter of Norval and Terry Dickson.

Jamie Fox - Lafayette, La.
14 letters in softball, volleyball, basketball and track at Acadiana HS ... First team All-District and softball team MVP as a junior ... Played for Louisiana Reflections club team as a freshman ... Team won 2000 18-U AFA national championship ... Played travel ball for Louisiana Gold ... Coached by Frank Butler ... Two-time first team All-District in volleyball ... MVP of District 3-5A ... Team was district champions ... Honorable mention All-District as a freshman and sophomore ... Two-time second team All-District in basketball ... Second team All-Parish as a sophomore ... Ran the 400m relay, 1600m and 800m in track as a junior ... Named Outstanding Track Lady at regionals as a sophomore and at district as a freshman ... Named Acadiana HS Outstanding Freshman ... Perfect 4.0 GPA all through high school ... National honor society vice president ... 2002 Acadiana HS football homecoming court ... 2002 senior class sweetheart ... Wendy's High School Heisman Award as a junior ... Daughter of Charles and Juanita Fox.

Alison Horne - Fayetteville, Ga.
Three-year letterwinner at Starr's Mill HS ... Seen action at shortstop and second base ... 2001 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year ... Team won 2002 5A Georgia state championship ... Two-time All-State selection ... Two-time All-County selection ... Two-time high school offensive MVP ... 1999 high school Rookie of the Year ... Also lettered three years in basketball ... Named All-Region and All-County ... Set scoring records as a freshman and sophomore ... Chose Oklahoma over LSU, Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Arkansas and Mercer ... Would like to pursue dentistry major ... Daughter of Michael and Jan Horne.

Jessica Johnson - Lakewood, Calif.
Three-year starter at Mayfair High School ... Played pitcher, third base and shortstop ... Team MVP and captain junior and sophomore years ... Three-time Press-Telegram Dream team member ... Suburban League MVP ... Pitched four no hitters and had 11 shutouts in 2002 ... Rookie of the Year Award in 2000 ... Coached by Kim Monteleone (formerly Kim Young) who was a member of the first softball Big 12 championship team at Oklahoma ... Three-time scholar athlete ... Ranked in top 5% of class ... GPA garnered Highest Honors.

Amber Spaulding - Fontana, Calif.
Three-year letterwinner at Etiwanda HS ... Seen action at centerfield and shortstop ... Coached by April Finazzo ... Three-time first team All-League ... Three-time All-San Bernadino County Team ... Three-time All-Inland Valley first team ... All-Inland Valley Player of the Year in 2002 ... Team MVP in 2002 ... All-CIF first team in 2002 ... HS team won 2002 CIF state championship ... Plays club softball for CASE Batbusters ... Coached by Pam Newton ... Principle's Honor Roll ... Would like to major in physical therapy ... Daughter of Bill and Yvonne.

OU opens its 2003 spring schedule in Gainesville, Fla. at the University of Florida Tournament on Feb. 7-9. The Sooners open at home by hosting the OU/Nike Classic on Feb. 14-16 in Norman.

Contact the OU Ticket Office at (800) 456-GoOU for information on Sooner Softball season tickets.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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