International student-athletes vital to success of OSU athletic teams

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu

Throughout Oklahoma State University history, international students have made an impact.

However, not all of them are remembered for what they did in the classroom, but instead on the playing field as they represented the Cowboys and Cowgirls.

A long line of student-athletes not from the United States have left a legacy in Stillwater, such as Yojiro Uetake-Obata, a wrestler who never lost a match as a Cowboy and went on to win gold medals in two Olympic Games.

There was also Australian pitcher Melanie Roche, who was a two-time All-American as a Cowgirl and went on to play in four Olympics. More recently, former Cowboy Viktor Hovland, a Norwegian, has become one of the best golfers in the world, ranking in the top 5.

“Oklahoma State Athletics has a long history of attracting the very best athletes from not only the United States, but around the world,” said Chad Weiberg, OSU director of athletics. “Throughout our history, we’ve had athletes from nearly every continent competing and excelling in every sport we offer including football, wrestling, basketball, track, soccer, tennis, golf, equestrian, softball and baseball.

“These athletes leave their home and their families to come to this great university on the plains of Oklahoma, get a college education, compete for championships and, in the process, broaden the perspectives of their teammates and contribute their experiences to the Cowboy culture.”

For the Cowgirl golf program, international student-athletes litter the team’s record books. With Swedish All-Americans like Eva Dahllof, Maria Bodén, Karin Sjödin, Pernilla Lindberg, Caroline Hedwall and Maja Stark to the team’s most recent All-American, Australian Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, Karsten Creek Golf Club has become world-renowned.

“Golf is global sport, and to be competitive at the collegiate level, we must find the best players from around the world,” Cowgirl golf coach Greg Robertson said. “Many times, we will see international players when they compete in the U.S., and sometimes we will travel overseas to watch them play. When we travel internationally to the bigger tournaments, it’s common to see 30-40 other coaches there.

“When we bring an international player on the team, they provide more than just great golf scores. They perform well in the classroom, and they have been great representatives of the university in the community. I think it’s a great experience for the team to be around others with different cultures, backgrounds and languages, and have to come together as one to succeed.”

Whether it is on the men’s or women’s tennis teams, OSU recruits internationally to help fill its rosters every year. Because of this, the tennis teams are mostly international, which helps because tennis is such a global sport.

Chris Young, OSU’s director of tennis and coach of the Cowgirl program, has had immense success with international student-athletes such as Viktoriya Lushkova, Katarina Adamovic, Vladica Babic, Sofia Blanco, Katarina Stresnakova, Lisa Marie Rioux, Ayumi Miyamoto and Bunyawi Thamchaiwat.

“We are so fortunate at Oklahoma State to have players in our tennis programs representing countries from around the globe,” Young said. “The diversity that these students bring to our campus is so important and the impact they can have at Oklahoma State is invaluable to the educational experience of our students. By having these students from around the globe, we are truly making a difference around the world through our campus and our tennis program.

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