Dixon invited to Olympic tryouts

FAYETTEVILLE – Incoming University of Arkansas softball player, Miranda Dixon, was invited to try out for the 2008 Olympic softball team Aug. 19 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Dixon, a standout pitcher from Edmond, Okla., holds a career record of 55-11 on the mound for the Edmond North Huskies. She was an all-state first team selection as well as a two-time all-Edmond player of the year and a two-time all-conference most valuable player. “I think it is a tremendous opportunity for Miranda, and an honor and a privilege to try out for the Olympic team,” said Arkansas head softball coach Jamie Pinkerton. “It says a lot about her as a player and our program, and the direction we want to take our program.” The American Softball Association, the national governing body of softball, began holding Olympic team tryouts in May. Tryouts were also held in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.; Altamonte Springs, Fla.; and Midland, Mich. Besides recruiting for the Olympics, the tryouts also will fill slots for the national and junior national teams. Olympic tryout requirements are bat speed (50 mph), run home to first base (2.95 seconds), throwing speed (55 mph), run home to home (12.5 seconds) and pushups (30). Pitchers must also maintain consistent speed for any three of the following: fastball – 63 mph; riseball – 60 mph; change-up – 45 mph or 18 mph slower than maximum pitch speed; curveball – 60 mph; dropball – 63 mph. Dixon holds numerous records at Edmonds North including most strikeouts in a season (326), most wins (55), lowest career ERA (0.64), most strikeouts in a single game (18), most career home runs (7), highest career batting average (.417) and most career RBIs (90). Dixon will compete against numerous players from all over the country and will try to come one step closer to accomplishing her life’s ambition of playing professionally. “Her exposure to this type of competitive setting will give her experience that will help her and our team down the road,” said Pinkerton. For more information about Arkansas softball, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.