Oklahoma State University Athletics
Track Recruit Shines on the Soccer Field
April 07, 2003 | Cowgirl Soccer
by Chris Matthews, OSU Media Relations
Very few athletes excel at one sport after being recruited in another. Junior Jere Boykin came to Oklahoma State on a track and field scholarship and is now tied for the team lead in goals with sophomore Jolene Schweitzer.
Boykin was a big surprise last year coming off the bench. She came into the game and provided valuable minutes off the bench. Texas Tech learned just how important a substitute can be when Boykin netted the game winner against the Red Raiders last fall.
Baylor discovered just how good Boykin can be coming off the bench when she netted two second half goals to beat the Bears 2-0. It was the first multi-goal game of her career.
Boykin's heroics have earned her a starting job, but she says she prefers coming off the bench.
"I play better coming off the bench because I get a feel for the game and see what I need to do to contribute," Boykin said. "I just enjoy being out here and getting a chance to get into big games and contributing."
The Denver, Colo., native scored two goals last season, none bigger than the one she scored against Tech, and has already scored five this season. She plays on a talented front line that includes Schweitzer and junior Kim Graves. Graves shared the team lead in goals with Schweitzer a year ago.
Boykin insists that there is no competition going on between her and Schweitzer, and that they are just trying to win games. That is all they have done at this early juncture in the Big 12 season.
"It does not matter as long as somebody gets the job done," Boykin said. "Jolene works really hard and it makes everybody else on the team work hard. Right now it does not matter as long as we are winning games."
Boykin has helped lead the Cowgirls to a sizzling 10-0 start and a 2-0 Big 12 record going into Friday's game with Iowa State. Those marks are the best in the program's brief history since 1996.
Boykin is looking forward to making her homecoming to Colorado for the game against the Buffaloes on Oct. 27.
"My entire family will be there, and I know some people on their team," Boykin said. "I am excited. It is always fun to play at home and against people you know. It gets your adrenaline running."
The team still has a goal of qualifying for the Big 12 Tournament, which would be another first for the young program. The thought of playing in the NCAA Tournament is the ultimate goal, but is an afterthought for now.
"The Big 12 Tournament is our team goal," Boykin said. "It would be exciting and a good thing for the program. As hard as we have worked the last two seasons, it would be extremely gratifying. We are just going day-by-day right now. We want to win our Big 12 games and make the conference tournament and see where we go from there."
