The Sooners were nominated as the Best Team.
Along with that, Jayda Coleman’s walk-off home run in the Women’s College World Series Semifinals versus Florida was considered for the greatest play award. The Sooners did not win either award.
Last week, the Oklahoma Sooners softball team was once again unsuccessful in the ESPYs.
Last season, the Sooners were nominated for the Best Team award following their record-breaking season, which included the longest victory streak and a third consecutive championship. They didn’t win. This time, it was because the Sooners became the first softball team to win four straight national championships. Along with that, Jayda Coleman’s walk-off home run in the Women’s College World Series Semifinals versus Florida was considered for the greatest play award. The Sooners missed out on both categories, as South Carolina’s Women’s Basketball team won best team and Lamar Jackson won best play.
In response to the announcement, OKC Spark outfielder and former Sooner Rylie Boone tweeted, “a 4 peat isn’t enough espys….? MAN”
Jayda Coleman responded to Boone’s tweet on X, writing, “Absolute dominance hasn’t been recognized…” brutal.”
The Sooners were defeated by the undefeated South Carolina Women’s Basketball team in 2023-24, who had won back-to-back national championships. Dawn Staley, South Carolina’s head coach, also received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for her ongoing commitment to cancer research advocacy. Other nominees for the award included the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Michigan Wolverines (NCAA Football), Las Vegas Aces (WNBA), University of Connecticut Huskies (NCAA Men’s Basketball), Oklahoma Sooners (NCAA Softball), Boston Celtics (NBA), Florida Panthers (NHL), and Texas Rangers (MLB).
Lamar Jackson won the award for best play, which Jayda Coleman was up for, after catching his own pass and running with it in January. Jackson is the Baltimore Ravens quarterback and a former NFL Most Valuable Player.
Fans voted for the awards using a link to the original announcement. Despite softball’s ongoing expansion, the number of votes suggested that it is not as well-known as other sports at current moment.
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Oklahoma’s softball coaching staff the 2024 ATEC/NFCA Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year for the third year in a row. NCAA DI head coaches vote on the National Coaching Staff of the Year award.
