WHEREAS, the 2022 Oklahoma softball team, under the direction of Head Coach Patty Gasso, swept rival University of Texas in the Women's College World Series Championship Series, to win its second consecutive national title; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 OU softball team swept No. 3 seed Florida State in the Women's College World Series Championship Series to claim the program's third straight national championship; and

WHEREAS, the Sooners, over the 49–year history of the University of Oklahoma softball program, have won seven national championships, including five in the past 7 years and six in the past 10 years; and have competed in 16 Women's College World Series, including 11 of the last 12; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 OU softball team set the NCAA Division I record for longest winning streak, registering 53 victories in a row to break a 26-year-old record previously held by the University of Arizona at 47 straight victories; and

WHEREAS, a nation-leading five Sooners were named 2023 NFCA First-Team All-Americans; and

WHEREAS, OU went undefeated in 2023 conference play for just the fourth time in the league's history, finishing 18–0 and winning the program's 11th consecutive Big 12 regular season title and 15th overall; and

WHEREAS, the Sooners completed the Big 12 title sweep by winning the 2023 Big 12 Softball Championship in Oklahoma City, the program's 8th conference tournament crown; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Patty Gasso was named Big 12 Coach of the Year for the 11th consecutive season in 2023 and 15th time overall; and

WHEREAS, OU placed eight student-athletes on the 2023 All-Big 12 teams, including a league-high seven on the first team; and

WHEREAS, Oklahoma student-athletes took home three 2023 conference individual awards in Big 12 Player of the Year Jayda Coleman, Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Jordy Bahl and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Grace Lyons; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 team went undefeated at home in the 25th and final campaign at Marita Hynes Field, finishing 19–0 to extend OU's home field winning streak to 65 games.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the House of Representatives expresses profound appreciation to Head Coach Patty Gasso and the 2022 and 2023 OU softball teams for the excitement and pride they bring to the University of Oklahoma, the State of Oklahoma and to Sooners everywhere, and for the exemplary manner in which they represented the University of Oklahoma and added to its tradition of excellence.