NORMAN — It’s been many years since Kenzie Sublett was a young ball girl for the Oklahoma soccer team, but in a lot of ways the Norman North senior never really left John Crain Field.
“It was never a choice,” Sublett said of her decision to sign with OU on Wednesday. “I’ve lived in Norman my whole life and my entire family is here. It was OU or nothing.”
And while it wasn’t official until Wednesday, Sublett’s commitment to OU began more than a decade ago, when she would spend her nights chasing down loose balls at OU games. She was fascinated by the Sooners, watching their every move as she grew up, wanting nothing more than to one day step onto that field in her own right.
“I remember I always would take my little poster for them to sign,” Sublett said. “Now I’m going to be that girl signing it. It’s all so surreal.”
It’s been a long road to OU for Sublett, but it’s one that’s never been in doubt. Sublett began playing soccer in kindergarten and enjoyed the game, but it wasn’t until a few years later that she realized it was something she wanted to do for as long as possible.
“I actually took a year off from soccer in the third grade, and it was the worst thing I’ve done in my life,” she said. “That’s when I realized that this is what I needed to do.”
North coach Don Rother has known Sublett since she was 11. Even then, it was apparent she had what it took to play at a high level, he said.
“Even at her age, you knew she has the athletic characteristics to make it,” he said. “From that point, it’s just based on how hard they’ll work. And she’s worked harder than anyone to make it. Her drive and hard work got her here.”
While the Sooners were never off Sublett’s radar, it wasn’t until the summer before her sophomore year that she was on theirs. It was during a summer league game that then-OU coach Nicole Nelson noticed Sublett and asked her to play with her team for a tournament.
Nelson came away impressed, and from then on Sublett made sure the Sooners couldn’t forget about her.
“I always made sure they knew when I was playing,” she said. “I e-mailed her [Nelson] constantly to let her know when I would be playing.”
And while Sublett won’t have the chance to play under Nelson, who resigned at the end of last season, she is ready to do whatever it takes to make her presence known on campus next year.
“I don’t want to be the freshman who shows up and struggles,” she said. “I want to show up and work harder than I ever have before. I know there will be days where I don’t want to do it any more, but I also know there will be the days that show me why I want to be there.”
Corbin Hosler 366-3528 chosler@normantranscript.com
