Softball Adds Dickenson To Recruiting Class

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma softball head coach Patty Gasso announced the addition of a fifth player to the Sooners 2005 recruiting class on Tuesday morning. Traci Dickenson, a shortstop from Placentia, Calif., has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer for OU and will also compete for the softball team.

“When you see Traci and the way she carries herself, she looks like an elite athlete,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “Her athletic ability and presence on the field stands out to everyone that watches her. Softball wise, she knows the game, covers a lot of ground defensively and she's a good leader. She is just a tremendous all-around athlete with all the characteristics to be one of the best players at the collegiate level.”

2005 Softball Recruiting Class | 2005 Soccer Recruiting Class

Dickenson is a two-time All-CIF performer for El Dorado High School, where she is coached by Garrett Yosh. Dickenson, who is currently in the midst of her senior season, has been an all-league performer on three occasions, as well as garnering team Defensive MVP three times and league Defensive MVP twice.

Prior to the start of her senior season, she was named by the Orange County Register as one of the “Top-5 Players To Look Out For”. The highly recruited athlete turned down offers from Cal-Berkeley, Cal State Fullerton, Texas, Florida State, Purdue and Mississippi.

Dickenson will also compete for OU's soccer team, which is not uncharted territory for either Sooner program. Currently, junior Kristin Vesely starts in center field for Gasso's squad in the spring and at forward for soccer head coach Randy Evans' team in the fall.

“Traci will need to listen to Kristin and take her advice,” said Gasso. “That will be her biggest obstacle, handling the pressures of playing for two major Division I teams. If she can follow Kristin's lead, I have no doubt she will immediately impact both teams in a great way.”

Dickenson, along with fellow signees D.J. Mathis, Morgan Hudsonpillar, Janelle Rosa and Jessica Legendre will enroll at OU in the fall of 2004.

A complete bio of high school accomplishments and personal information is below:

Traci Dickenson
SS, 5-8, R/R
Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado HS)

High School
Four year varsity starter for El Dorado High School and head coach Garrett Yosh ... Currently in the midst of senior season for El Dorado ... Two-time All CIF Div. II selection ... Three-time all-league selection ... Two-time all-league Defensive MVP and three-time El Dorado Defensive MVP ... Named by Orange County Register as one of the “Top-5 Players To Look Out For” ... Voted most athletic female in 2005 senior class ... Plays club ball for the So Cal Athletics, who are coached by Bruce Richardson ... Has played every infield position except first during prep years ... Chose Oklahoma over Cal State Fullerton, Texas, Cal-Berkeley, Florida State, Purdue and Mississippi.

Personal
Daughter of Ted and Cathy Dickenson ... One older sister, Teresa, one older brother, Teddy, and one younger brother, Todd ... Born March 2, 1987.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball Adds Dickenson To Recruiting Class

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