Softball player makes verbal commitment to University of
Oklahoma
HOLLISTER
Jessica Vest decided sooner, rather than later.
The San Benito High sophomore made a verbal commitment to play softball at the University of Oklahoma, becoming perhaps the youngest Haybaler to do so after the Norman-based college recently made an attractive offer.
And Vest, 15, swung at the chance to play for the Sooners, which was her No. 1 choice in colleges.
“They were the first letter I had ever received,” Vest said, “and when I got to their campus, I felt at home and I could see myself going to school there with all the people.”
Vest, who’s No. 1 in her class with a 4.17 GPA, won’t be able to sign a National Letter of Intent until her senior year. But having the decision out the way early should certainly relieve some of the pressures college-hopeful athletes, Vest included, experience every game.
“There is a lot less pressure (now),” Vest said. “I’m still trying hard, but there’s less pressure to impress every coach that comes to the games.”
Vest is the third member of the Lady ‘Baler softball team to commit to a school this offseason – the most for San Benito manager Scott Smith – joining JC Clayton (BYU) and Marisa Ibarra (SF State), each of whom signed letters of intent last month.
“She’s really excited about going there,” Smith said. “I’ve never heard anyone going earlier than this. But I think it’s worth noting that her parents and her self have worked so hard to get to this. It pays off when you get there and she’s a very hard worker.”
Smith recalls a softball player at Notre Dame who made a verbal commitment her sophomore year to play at Arizona, but the process is usually completed during the junior year, perhaps due to the many rules and regulations.
“They can talk on the phone, but she has to make the phone call first,” explained Vest’s father, Ken. “Jessica can e-mail the coach, but they can’t e-mail back.”
After showcasing her talents at the ASA Girls 16-and-under Fastpitch National Championships in Kentucky earlier this year with the California Grapettes (Lodi), Vest was invited to the Futures National Camp in Southern California, which featured a who’s who of softball talent from across the country.
When Oklahoma expressed interest in Vest through her Grapettes coach, the shortstop made contact with the Sooners before making an unofficial visit to Norman just before Thanksgiving.
“It’s actually not very different than Hollister,” Vest said of Norman. “There is a mall, but it’s pretty similar.
“It was very hard knowing that the rest of my career depended on what I chose. But there wasn’t one negative that I could say about Oklahoma, so that did it for me.”
A top-25 ranked team, the Sooners’ roster currently includes seven that hail from the Golden State, not to mention the three signees this year, including Archbishop Mitty pitcher Keilani Ricketts.
Blessed with plenty of speed, tremendous defense and an eye for the ball that placed her near the top of San Benito’s lineup through the majority of her freshman season, Vest’s early-commitment didn’t surprise Smith.
“Besides her hard work,” Smith said, “she’s got God-given talent.”
