Three Softballers On POY Watch List

NORMAN, Okla. The same trio of Norrelle Dickson, Kami Keiter and Heather Scaglione that represented Oklahoma on the USA Elite Team has been named to the USA Softball Player of the Year watch list. It marks the first time that OU has had three players on the watch list, as well as being the first time a sophomore (Dickson) has garnered the recognition.

The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced Friday its initial watch list for the 4th annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This award, which is considered the Heisman Trophy in women's collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA's Stacey Nuveman, Texas pitcher Cat Osterman and Florida State's Jessica Van der Linden.

Complete USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List

Dickson, a speedy slapper that starts at third base for OU, was a 2004 Midwest All-Region First Team selection. Nationally, she is renowned for her work with the Elite Team. As a part of the USA squad she has played in five international tournaments and most recently hit .364 as the team won the gold medal at the First World University Softball Championship.

Keiter is entering her senior season and has been a standout for three years. After garnering All-America honors as a sophomore, the lefty hurler battled back from injuries to lead the Sooners to the 2004 Women's College World Series by claiming MVP honors at the Region I Championships (Tucson, Ariz.). Keiter was also on the 2004 watch list.

Scaglione burst onto the national scene in 2004 and cemented herself as one of the best catchers in the collegiate game. She was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and was the most feared hitter in conference while leading the league in seven offensive categories. Scaglione was among the finalists when the 2004 award was dwindled down to 25 candidates in 2004.

The watch list is comprised of 40 players that represent 23 colleges and 10 different Conferences. A list of 25 finalists will be announced on April 5. A player does not have to be on the watch list to be considered for the top 25. But once the Top 25 is named the remaining finalist must be pared down from that list.

Just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 10th. The three finalists will be announced May 31st. The winner of the 2005 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced at the 2005 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player's academic institution.

Van der Linden was selected as the 2004 winner after leading her Seminole's to the ACC title and a berth into the Women's College World Series.

This year's watch list contains eight players that were among the 10 finalist in 2004 and one that is a past recipient of this award.

The preseason-No. 4 Sooners begin the 2005 season at the Clearwater Invitational (Fla.) where they will play Florida Atlantic and Appalachian State on Friday, Feb. 4.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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