Sophia Schlader’s college choice is official, and the Iowa softball star is headed to Oklahoma.
The Waukee Northwest junior announced her commitment on Wednesday during a ceremony at school, with friends and family on hand for the moment. Schlader said she took visits to both Texas and Oklahoma in September before landing on the Sooners.
“I am SO excited and blessed to announce that I have verbally committed to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Oklahoma,” Schlader wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). “First and foremost, all glory to God. I’m so thankful for His guidance, for every person He has placed in my life and for leading me exactly where I’m meant to be.
“To my mom, dad and brother - thank you for every sacrifice, every mile traveled and for always being by my side. I truly would not be here without you. I love you guys!”
Schlader also thanked her coaches, teammates, trainers, and the Beverly Bandits and Waukee Northwest softball families, along with the Oklahoma staff for “giving me the opportunity to make a dream I;ve had since I was little come true.
“I couldn’t be more excited to call Oklahoma HOME and can’t wait for what’s ahead.”
BOOMER SOONER!!! ❤️🤍☝🏼@OU_Softball #committed @GassoPatty @jtgasso @coachjro @fale_steele @Sam_Marder @OU_Athletics @BillConroy60534 @DemariniBandits @waukeenwsb @Bandit16uConroy @SoftbalAmerica @LineDsoftball @ExtraInningSB @PrepSoftball @THEWOWSB @BradyVernon @CoachJenMac… pic.twitter.com/UJEFwiAg13
On the field, Schlader has been piling up hardware at a ridiculous pace. She helped Waukee Northwest win a second straight Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 5A state championship this summer, and she did it while going 29-0 with one save. Over more than 180 innings, she struck out a school-record 301 batters.
Her numbers were overwhelming across the board: a 0.69 earned run average and opponents hitting just .096 against her. At the plate, she was every bit as dangerous, batting .464 with a school-record 18 home runs.
That production helped her earn Gatorade Iowa softball player of the year honors, along with all-state recognition from several outlets, including High School On SI.
Schlader also competes nationally for the Beverly Bandits Conroy team. Even though Iowa is the only state that plays softball in the summer, she has continued to make it work with Waukee Northwest rather than sitting out for school.
“There is just something special,” Schlader said during the state softball tournament. “Schoolball should be important.
Girls should want to play schoolball. And I think going forward, coaches are coming to the games and they are coming to watch (the athletes play).”
Her résumé goes well beyond this summer. As a freshman, Schlader went 30-1 with 296 strikeouts and a 1.20 earned run average in 187 innings pitched. She also hit .357 with 15 home runs and 29 RBI.
In eighth grade, she was 20-6 with 238 strikeouts and a 0.80 earned run average.
Waukee Northwest will chase a third consecutive state title next summer and a fourth straight trip to the elite eight with Schlader in the circle. She was also ranked the No. 1 player in the Class of 2028 by Softball America back in February 2025, and Line Drive Media listed her No. 2 in her class earlier this month.
Schlader is also a standout thrower for the Waukee Northwest girls track and field team.
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