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Eli Lederman
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Eli Lederman
ESPN Staff Writer
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Eli Lederman reports on college football and recruitment for ESPN.com. In 2024, he joined ESPN after covering the University of Oklahoma for Sellout Crowd and the Tulsa World.
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Jake Trotter
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Jake Trotter
ESPN Senior Writer
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Jake Trotter, a senior writer for ESPN, covers college football and various college sports, including both men’s and women’s basketball. Residing in Cleveland with his wife and three children, he’s a devoted Oklahoma City Thunder fan. After five years reporting on the Cleveland Browns and NFL at ESPN, he returned to college football in 2024. Before ESPN, Trotter worked for several newspapers including the Middletown Journal and Austin American-Statesman and completed his studies at Washington and Lee University in 2004. Connect with Trotter via email at jake.trotter@espn.com and follow him on X at @Jake_Trotter.
OKLAHOMA CITY — On June 6, 2024, the Texas Longhorns navigated the halls of Devon Park beneath the cheers of their rivals, who celebrated another national championship victory on the softball field above.
In that moment, the Longhorns confronted the harsh truth of a painful defeat at the Women’s College World Series. After reaching the national championship series twice in three years, Texas fell in a decisive sweep against Oklahoma, which marked its unprecedented fourth consecutive title. Having already faced a similar defeat to the Sooners in 2022, the Longhorns exited on the final day of the tournament with lingering disappointment.
As they boarded the bus outside, departing senior pitcher Estelle Czech urged infielder Katie Cimusz, saying, “Go win it all next year. Do that for us.”
The Longhorns transformed that painful exit into resilience, ultimately earning their first national championship on Friday night.
Despite a rough patch mid-season that included an April series sweep by Oklahoma, Texas found their rhythm just in time for the WCWS. After defeating Florida in the opening round, they triumphed over the Sooners on May 31, and claimed victory against star pitcher NiJaree Canady in the championship series, winning twice in three days.
With a strong start that included a five-run first inning on Friday and another stellar performance from ace Teagan Kavan, the Longhorns rolled to a 10-4 victory, fulfilling their long-anticipated goal of clinching a WCWS title under the guidance of seventh-year coach Mike White.
A year after their painful exit from the same field, the Longhorns enjoyed a celebratory moment at Devon Park. To break through their previous obstacles, they relied not only on a talented roster but also a renewed mindset.
“We never back down,” Kavan emphasized. “If you have an out, you have a chance.”
MONTHS AFTER THE Longhorns left Devon Park in June 2024, the team convened by a river outside Austin for a fall retreat.
Engaging in paddleboarding and pickleball, senior leaders—including Vanessa Quiroga and Katie Cimusz, who faced Oklahoma without a win in the WCWS—focused on solidifying a cultural foundation for 2025.
They introduced a new team motto, “Fuel the fire,” creating a presentation to emphasize the significance of each word. Discussion centered on enhancing mental toughness and camaraderie while bridging gaps between upperclassmen and underclassmen, aiming to empower their exceptional young talent.
“The family atmosphere we fostered this year makes us equal players,” Cimusz noted. “We’ve transformed significantly.”
Ranked at the top of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Preseason Top 25, the Longhorns started strong, amassing a 26-1 record before entering SEC play in March. However, a setback in mid-April against Tennessee, followed by another sweep from Oklahoma, highlighted the competitive divide between the two storied programs.
After a disheartening exit from the SEC tournament following a 14-2 loss to Texas A&M, Texas’s journey back to softball’s summit seemed precarious. Yet, their confidence in their abilities and the cultural commitment among the Longhorns remained steadfast.
“We’ve only grown stronger from our difficulties,” Kavan reflected. “Leaning on each other has been key. From my arrival, the team was already close, but now, that bond has deepened.”
During challenging moments, the Longhorns adhered to the principles they established during their retreat. White reminded them of their shared motto, harnessing any past adversity to “Fuel the fire” and fortify their commitment.
In the Austin Super Regional, facing elimination after dropping Game 1 to Clemson, the Longhorns rallied in Game 2. After Kaydee Bennett scored a critical run in the 10th inning, Kavan sealed a 7-5 victory. The following day, Texas edged out a 6-5 win over Clemson, securing their return to the WCWS.
“That motto and our ability to unite as a team helped carry us through,” Cimusz asserted.
AS THE LONGHORNS’ VETERANS REALIZED last fall, their success hinged on the younger players stepping up in crucial moments. When they returned to Oklahoma City, those moments materialized.
A home run from sophomore Katie Stewart propelled Texas to victory over Florida in their WCWS opener. Two days later, sophomore Kayden Henry’s fifth-inning homer against Oklahoma secured an unassailable lead, marking a vital win.
Reflecting on their success, Henry stated, “This comes from our trust in each other—seniors empowering us younger players.”
Kavan was instrumental during the championship clincher, holding Texas Tech to four runs and setting a new school record with her sixth career WCWS win.
“Her drive to improve is what distinguishes the great players,” praised White, referring to Kavan before the championship.
No player embodied the team’s grit more than catcher Reese Atwood, a critical component of Texas’ batting lineup.
In Game 1 of the finals, Texas Tech elected to intentionally walk Atwood to load the bases. To their surprise, she responded by driving in two runs with a single, leading to a stunning win for the Longhorns.
Atwood’s impactful performance continued in Game 2, where her first-inning single initiated a scoring spree, ultimately leading Texas to triumph and securing the coveted national title, fulfilling a long-held aspiration.
“We’ve cultivated a culture of ambition,” Atwood noted.