OSU & Nike N7: Five Cowgirls Proud to Showcase Heritage

STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State softball team is set to host its first Nike N7 Field Day on Sunday at Cowgirl Stadium, where the Cowgirls will don turquoise uniforms as part of the event. Primarily seen in men's and women's basketball, OSU is the second softball program in the nation to join the Nike N7 movement.

Five players on head coach Kenny Gajewski's roster have Native American ties, and all are proud to have the chance to showcase their heritage during Sunday's activities. A look at those five Cowgirls and their heritage:

Whitney Whitehorn | Senior | P/DP | Osage & Cherokee | Owasso, Okla.

Whitney Whitehorn, a member of the Osage and Cherokee Nations, has been a breakout star at the plate for Oklahoma State this season. Primarily a pitcher throughout her Cowgirl career, Whitehorn has become a stalwart at DP for head coach Kenny Gajewski this season.

She is currently batting .295 with six home runs and 27 runs batted in. Of her six home runs, two are grand slams, making her the first Cowgirl since Julie Ward in 2010 to hit multiple grand slams in a season.

Her involvement with her tribes:
"Ceremonial dances, and helped cook during the ceremonial dances in June."

Native name and its meaning:
"Wah-sha-she-me-tse-he"
"First daughter of the deer clan and Osage sacred woman"

Favorite thing about being Native American:
"I am able to represent my tribe and be a good role model for kids."

On what her heritage means to her:
"It means everything to me that I can represent the Osage Nation and the Cherokee Nation as well. Being able to partake in N7 and wear this jersey just really shows the world that we're proud of who we are and our heritage."

Taylor Pence | Senior | OF | Cherokee | Hugo, Okla.

Taylor Pence, a member of the Cherokee nation, has been a key figure off the bench for the Cowgirls during her two years with the team. Pence has played in 28 games so far this season, scoring 10 times and driving in seven runs. She hit her first home run as a Cowgirl – a three-run shot – against New Mexico on Feb. 10 during the season-opening Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona.

While she has taken care of business on the field, Pence has also gotten involved behind the scenes. She currently serves as the N7 Youth Movement Director at Oklahoma State. Pence is also involved with the Center for Sovereign Nations on campus.

Favorite thing about being Native American:
"My favorite thing about being a member of the Cherokee Nation Tribe is having a heritage that I can be proud of and playing softball here at OSU has given me a platform to be involved in inspiring Native American youth in physical activity and sport. I grew up around, and playing in, Indian Fastpitch and co-ed tournaments instead of playing on travel ball teams or going to university softball camps like most young girls do."

On what it means to see OSU softball involved with Nike N7:
"Being here, and being able to wear this jersey and being one of the first softball programs to wear the turquoise means a lot to me."

Sydney Pennington | Freshman | SS | Cherokee | Sand Springs, Okla.

Sydney Pennington, a member of the Cherokee Nation, has starred during her first season of collegiate softball, racking up a .311 batting average, hitting seven home runs and driving in 39 runs. Pennington is one of five Cowgirls to start in every game for Oklahoma State this season, and she did so at three different positions (DP, LF, SS).

While Pennington's position has shifted, she has been a constant source of offense in the cleanup spot, starting there in 41 of 43 games this season. As a student at Charles Page High School, Pennington was involved with the Native American Student Association.

Favorite thing about being Native American:
"The best thing about being Native American is being able to give back and set examples for younger Native American kids. Getting to co-direct N7 Field Day and getting to interact with the kids helps me learn more about Native American heritage as well."

On what her heritage means to her:
"I'm a part of the Cherokee Nation and my heritage means a lot to me because I get to be a role model for all of the little kids. I get to show them my heritage and what it means to me."

Michaela Richbourg | Freshman | 1B | Choctaw | Broken Bow, Okla.

Michaela Richbourg, a member of the Choctaw Nation, has been the first bat off the bench for the Cowgirls this season and she has shined when her opportunities arise. Richbourg is currently batting .303 with a pair of home runs and nine runs batted in. She has started in three games this season, twice as the designated player.

Her first career start at first base came in midweek action at Missouri State on April 11. Richbourg was a key contributor in that 3-0 victory for the Cowgirls, as she recorded a two-out RBI double to help tack on an insurance run for OSU.

Her tribal involvement:
"I'm a part of the youth advisory board, Native American Indian club, American Indian leadership youth council."

Favorite thing about being Native American:
"All the support I get from all other Native Americans from my county. I am honored to carry the pride every time I step on the field."

On what her heritage means to her:
"It means more to me now that I know that not many people speak the language that my grandparents do. I think it's going to mean a lot more to me that we're going to bring awareness for this to hopefully keep the language going."

Mallory Goodman | Junior | OF | Muskogee Creek | Sand Springs, Okla.

Mallory Goodman, a member of the Muskogee Creek Nation, is in her third season with the Oklahoma State softball program. After a breakout freshman campaign in 2015, Goodman departed the program for family reasons, and she has made 21 appearances since returning to the team in 2017.

On what her heritage means to her:
"I'm Creek and I have a daughter named Erin, and I just want to show her what it's like to be a Native American. I want my daughter to grow up and be a proud representative of the Creek Nation and she can only learn that from me and how I carry myself as a Native American. The footsteps that young Native Americans seek only come from what they see and learn, so us older ones need to stay on path and keep teaching."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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