Mottern Finds A Home On The Diamond And With The Sooners

For the first time in his athletic career, freshman Ryan Mottern is participating in only one sport. After enjoying much success on the diamond in high school, Mottern has found his place on the Oklahoma Sooners' pitching staff. But this graduate of Palestine High School in Palestine, Texas, had the athletic ability to succeed in more than just baseball.

During his prep career, Ryan was a well-rounded athlete who played almost every sport that his high school offered. His list included soccer, track, basketball and football. He lettered two years in football and was twice named to the All-East Texas team, first team all-district and all-area teams on the gridliron. After posting a net average of 40.8 yards as a senior, Mottern earned honorable mention All-State honors as a punter. He also served as team captain for both the baseball and football teams.

On the football field, Mottern was considered one of the lead blockers for Adrian Peterson, the nation's top-recruited running back last year that signed with the Sooners in February.

Although in time he excelled in football and baseball, Ryan's first love was in another sport.

“He loves soccer,” said his mother, Ann. “He started out playing soccer when he was about four years old, then came baseball.”

“He'd play a soccer game and then turn around and head for baseball practice,” said Mottern's father, John.

Ryan attributes his interest in baseball to his parents. He remembers accompanying his father, who was president of the youth association, to the baseball field almost every weekend and his mother helped him with his pitching when his father was busy.

“We'd play catch--she was good enough that she could throw with me,” said Ryan.

“At first I played both soccer and baseball, but in high school they overlapped,” Ryan said. “I started getting better at baseball so I stuck with that.”

His desire to play two sports led him to choose baseball and football because their high school seasons did not overlap.

“I don't know how he managed the two different sports, but he really enjoyed them both,” said John.

Ryan's versatile athletic ability was used to fill voids on both the baseball and football field.

“In one baseball game I played seven different positions,” said Mottern. “I caught, I pitched and played all of the outfield positions and third base, but I didn't play first base that game.”

On the football field he found himself playing a wide range of positions also. He was the quarterback, kicker, fullback and then finally settled in as the wide receiver.

Although Ryan ultimately could have had the opportunity to be a kicker for a college football team, he said he does not regret choosing baseball as his only college sport. For him the traveling and the competition are the best parts of the game. From the beginning, the University of Oklahoma provided the right environment and coaching staff to satisfy his needs.

“I chose OU because I liked the town and on campus it fills like home,” said Ryan. “And when I came for my visit I just loved the coaching staff.”

Ryan has found his place in baseball and in particular on the mound for the Sooners.

- By Kelly Wright

Oklahoma Athletics Media Relations