Kristen Zaleski - Volunteer Assistant - Softball Coaches

Kristen Zaleski

Title:
Volunteer Assistant

Joining the program for the 2021-22 season as a volunteer assistant coach is Kristen Zaleski. Zaleski joins the Sooners following two seasons as the head coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and a nine-year head coaching tenure at Temple (Texas) College.

"For Kristen, not many programs can get a head coach to come be your volunteer unless she's someone that is committed to being the best she can be," said Gasso. "She has the championship mindset; she's been at our camps and she perfectly fits our program. She is going to add a tremendous amount of knowledge to our staff and has an elite softball mind. We're really excited about her joining us."

During her time at Temple College, Zaleski led the Leopards to five conference titles and the 2018 NJCAA Division I national championship. She was named Co-Coach of the Year for Region V North in 2018 and 2019, and her staff claimed NFCA NJCAA Coach Staff of the Year in 2018.

A 2004 graduate of Texas State University, Zaleski was a two-time NFCA All-American with the Bobcats and finished her career with Southland Conference records of 291 hits and 128 stolen bases.

Zaleski played five seasons as a professional in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League, playing with the Texas Thunder and Rockford Thunder. She earned NPF Most Valuable Player honors in 2005 and was named to the U.S. National Training Team in 2006 to compete for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic squad.