Completed Event: Softball at Utah State on March 28, 2026 , Win , 10, to, 1
Softball
at Utah State
W 10-1
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Hays signs 8 to star-studded program
11/8/2023 5:43:00 PM | Softball
Future Lopes come from across country, 1 Arizona native
Grand Canyon softball announced eight signees who will join the program next fall.
Lopes head coach Shanon Hays' acclaimed recruiting class includes pitcher Oakley Vickers, infield-catcher Jada Cooper, infielders Macie Selfors, Haley Wilkinson, and Arriana Wright, outfielder Sydney McCray, and utility players Willa Ford and Briah Williams.
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"I'm very pleased with this '24 class," Hays said. "We will graduate 8 experienced, accomplished and difficult to replace, seniors this year but this 2024 class is a really talented group. I think there are some foundational players in this group that will be big-time players over their careers at GCU."
OAKLEY VICKERS
Left-Handed Pitcher - Tuttle, Okla. - Tuttle H.S.
"
Oakley Vickers is a talented lefty that should pitch significant innings for us from day one," Hays said. "We haven't had a lefty on our staff since I've been here so it's nice to get one as talented and accomplished as Oak. I know MB (Maribeth Gorsuch)Â is super excited to get to work with her.Â
"We are so excited about the addition of Oakley," Lopes assistant coach Maribeth Gorsuch said. "She is a talented lefty pitcher that will play a big time role on our pitching staff and team."
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Vickers joins the Lopes' bullpen as the first left-handed pitcher since 2021. The former Tuttle High School Tiger was a four-year varsity starter, who earned both all-district and all-region praise with a total of 430 strikeouts in 251.2 innings between her junior (1.164 ERA) and senior year (1.109 ERA).Â
"I chose GCU because I really liked the coaches and the campus," Vickers said.
JADA COOPER
Infielder - Catcher -Â Houston, Texas - Westside H.S.
"Jada is a super talent that we expect to make a huge impact on our program with her power and athleticism," Hays said. "We'll be losing a lot of juice in our lineup and I expect Jada to help replace that from the jump. She is a player that is good at the corner infield spots and can also catch. Just a really a good get for our program."
"Jada's power is almost unmatched. She is a big time presence at the plate with a great swing," Gorsuch said. "Jada has a chance to put up big numbers here at GCU."
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Cooper, a multi-sport athlete who has displayed versatility and discipline throughout her four years of softball, basketball and volleyball, at Westside High School, is a three-time first-team all-district softball player and a first-team all-district basketball player. Â
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"I chose GCU because I really loved the coaches and the way they handle their team; I trust them with my development and I can see myself with this team for the next four years," Cooper said. "I also really loved that the school and the community felt like one big family. The campus and other students were also very nice."
MACIE SELFORS
Infielder - Gillette, Wyo. - Thunder Basin H.S.
"We expect Macie Selfors to help us on the bases from day one," Hays said. "She's a speedy, athletic, kid who has a good upside."
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Selfors won the Wyoming State Championship with Thunder Basin High School in both 2022 and 2023, leading the state in stolen bases during both seasons as well. The four-year varisty starter at shortstop earned second-team all-conference as a freshman, worked her way up to first-team all-state and all-conference as a junior and senior, and even become team captain in 2023. In addition to playing softball for nine years, Selfors also competed on the track for three, earning five varsity letters, and participating at state her junior and senior year.Â
"The amazing academic programs and the welcoming community drew me to GCU," Selfors said. I'm so excited for the opportunity to be part of the Lopes softball family.
HALEY WILKINSON
Infielder - Gardnerville, Nev. - Douglas H.S.
"Haley is a great pickup for our program," Hays said. "I see her as a future three-hole hitter that can be in the lineup from the start of her career.  Her athleticism allows us to play her pretty much anywhere but I think she's our future middle infielder."
"Haley is a super athletic infielder with power and speed," Lopes assistant coach Sydney Sherrill said. "She will shine at GCU. I'm so excited to work with her. She's the perfect fit for our program."
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Wilkinson won the Nevada Softball State Championship this year, and has earned Nevada Defensive Player of the Year, first-team all-state, and academic all-state in her four-year varsity stint at Douglas High School. Demonstrating focus on the field and the classroom, Wilkinson notched a .513 average, .579 on base percentage, a 1.130 slugging percentage, 59 hits, 51 RBIs and 16 homeruns, while graduating Magna Cum Laude as a member of the National Honors Society.Â
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"I knew this was the place for me because I really enjoyed my experience at a prospect camp and the coaching staff was really supportive," Wilkinson said. "Not only does GCU have the major i'm interested in but I get to stay close to my family as well."
SYDNEY MCCRAY
Outfielder - Sarasota, Fla. - Florida Southwestern State College - Lakewood Ranch H.S.
"Syd is an athletic outfielder who can hit or slap from the left side," Hays said. "She was a big reason Florida Southwestern won the national championship last year, her brother is a top
prospect in the Giants organization and her dad was a great player in MLB so she brings a big-time pedigree. She will fit right in with the other talented, young, speed players in our lineup."
"Syd McCray is an incredible pickup for the Lopes," Sherrill said. "She will make an immediate impact and I can't wait to work with her."
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McCray, a 2023 NFCA Golden Glove Award recipient, transfers from Florida Southwestern State where she won the 2023 NJCAA World Series and earned NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team, second-team NJCAA All-American, second-team NFCA All-South region, first-team FCSAA all-state, first-team All-Southern conference, and Southern Conference All-Academic team. Prior to her time Fort Myers, Fla., she was a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Lakewood Ranch High School where she won back-to-back state championships and was the runner-up for the Herald Tribute Softball Player of the Year award.Â
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"The environment of GCU's campus and the softball staff really seemed like the best fit for me and my personality," McCray said. I also have always wanted to go to school in Arizona because IÂ have a bunch of family in Scottsdale and on the West Coast."
WILLA FORD
Utility - Edmond, Okla. - Edmond Santa Fe H.S.
"Willa Ford is a super addition to our program. She's a talented kid who knows how to play the game at a high level," Hays said. "She was a highly recruited kid who has come off an injury
that sidelined her for a year but she is looking better than ever. Willa is athletic and skilled enough to play any position in the field and she brings a prolific bat as well. She's a great signee for us."
"I'm thrilled to work with a fellow Okie infielder," Sherrill said. "Willa is an incredible athlete with raw talent, and I can't wait to watch her do great things at GCU."
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Ford started three years at Edmond Santa Fe High School, earning all-conference recognition her sophomore and senior year, and all-state praise in 2023. As is participating in softball, basketball, track and field, and bowling for the Wolves wasn't enough, Ford also graduated as the Valedictorian. Four of Ford's eight siblings (four brothers, four sisters) also play softball (three sisters) and football (one brother).Â
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"I love the environment and GCU's team chemistry," Ford said.
BRIAH WILLIAMS
Utility - Bagdad, Ariz. - Bagdad Christian H.S.
"Briah Williams was a late addition to our '24 class and I am thrilled we picked her up," Hays said. "She is an athletic kid who can do a lot of things to help a team win. Her speed will help us
immediately on the bases and I expect her to make an impact as she gets stronger and develops. Shes a great kid who is a great fit for our team."
As a multi-sport athlete, Williams honed her leadership skills as a four-year varsity softball starter and three-year captain, and a four-year varsity volleyball starter and two-year captain. While playing softball she was named the 2023 1A Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and a two-time 1A West Region Player of the Year (2023, 2021); she also earned first-team all-region and all-conference honors in 2021 and 2022. As a volleyball player, Williams earned the 20221A West Region Player of the Year award, and received first-team all-conference praise in 2022 and first-team all-region recognition in 2021. Williams also joined the Bagdad Christian High School varsity basketball team as a sophomore. Exceeding academically as well, Williams is a three-time President's Honor Roll recipient, has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years, and earned a Culinary Arts Fundamentals Certificiation from Yavapai College in 2023.Â
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"I chose GCU because of the welcoming and friendly environment within the school and softball program," Williams said.
ARRIANA WRIGHT
Infield - Nashville, Tenn. - San Jacinto College - Woodlands College Park HS
"Arriana is a phenomenal athlete that will bring experience to our roster," Hays said. "Her confident presence on the field is special, and her ability to be a two way player with power at the plate and speed on the mound will absolutely help us next year."
"I'm thrilled see Arriana join the program," Sherrill said. "I look forward to her career at Grand Canyon."
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Wright did four years on Woodlands College Park High School softball starting lineup, while also competing in two years of volleyball, before continuing on to play the 2023 season at San Jacinto College where the Nashville native played in 58 games for a .500 batting average with 22 doubles, 18 home runs, and 73 RBI. The former Raven also earned first team All-South conference, conference Most Valuable Player, first team All-Region XIV, region Most Valuable Player, first team Midwest NFCA, second team NFCA All-American, and second team NJCAA All-American.
"I love the campus vibe and can't wait to start my degree at GCU," Wright said.
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Lopes head coach Shanon Hays' acclaimed recruiting class includes pitcher Oakley Vickers, infield-catcher Jada Cooper, infielders Macie Selfors, Haley Wilkinson, and Arriana Wright, outfielder Sydney McCray, and utility players Willa Ford and Briah Williams.
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"I'm very pleased with this '24 class," Hays said. "We will graduate 8 experienced, accomplished and difficult to replace, seniors this year but this 2024 class is a really talented group. I think there are some foundational players in this group that will be big-time players over their careers at GCU."
OAKLEY VICKERS
Left-Handed Pitcher - Tuttle, Okla. - Tuttle H.S.
"
Oakley Vickers is a talented lefty that should pitch significant innings for us from day one," Hays said. "We haven't had a lefty on our staff since I've been here so it's nice to get one as talented and accomplished as Oak. I know MB (Maribeth Gorsuch) is super excited to get to work with her. "We are so excited about the addition of Oakley," Lopes assistant coach Maribeth Gorsuch said. "She is a talented lefty pitcher that will play a big time role on our pitching staff and team."
Â
Vickers joins the Lopes' bullpen as the first left-handed pitcher since 2021. The former Tuttle High School Tiger was a four-year varsity starter, who earned both all-district and all-region praise with a total of 430 strikeouts in 251.2 innings between her junior (1.164 ERA) and senior year (1.109 ERA).Â
"I chose GCU because I really liked the coaches and the campus," Vickers said.
JADA COOPER
Infielder - Catcher -Â Houston, Texas - Westside H.S.
"Jada is a super talent that we expect to make a huge impact on our program with her power and athleticism," Hays said. "We'll be losing a lot of juice in our lineup and I expect Jada to help replace that from the jump. She is a player that is good at the corner infield spots and can also catch. Just a really a good get for our program."
"Jada's power is almost unmatched. She is a big time presence at the plate with a great swing," Gorsuch said. "Jada has a chance to put up big numbers here at GCU."
Â
Cooper, a multi-sport athlete who has displayed versatility and discipline throughout her four years of softball, basketball and volleyball, at Westside High School, is a three-time first-team all-district softball player and a first-team all-district basketball player. Â
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"I chose GCU because I really loved the coaches and the way they handle their team; I trust them with my development and I can see myself with this team for the next four years," Cooper said. "I also really loved that the school and the community felt like one big family. The campus and other students were also very nice."
MACIE SELFORS
Infielder - Gillette, Wyo. - Thunder Basin H.S.
"We expect Macie Selfors to help us on the bases from day one," Hays said. "She's a speedy, athletic, kid who has a good upside."Â
Selfors won the Wyoming State Championship with Thunder Basin High School in both 2022 and 2023, leading the state in stolen bases during both seasons as well. The four-year varisty starter at shortstop earned second-team all-conference as a freshman, worked her way up to first-team all-state and all-conference as a junior and senior, and even become team captain in 2023. In addition to playing softball for nine years, Selfors also competed on the track for three, earning five varsity letters, and participating at state her junior and senior year.Â
"The amazing academic programs and the welcoming community drew me to GCU," Selfors said. I'm so excited for the opportunity to be part of the Lopes softball family.
HALEY WILKINSON
Infielder - Gardnerville, Nev. - Douglas H.S.
"Haley is a great pickup for our program," Hays said. "I see her as a future three-hole hitter that can be in the lineup from the start of her career.  Her athleticism allows us to play her pretty much anywhere but I think she's our future middle infielder."
"Haley is a super athletic infielder with power and speed," Lopes assistant coach Sydney Sherrill said. "She will shine at GCU. I'm so excited to work with her. She's the perfect fit for our program."
Â
Wilkinson won the Nevada Softball State Championship this year, and has earned Nevada Defensive Player of the Year, first-team all-state, and academic all-state in her four-year varsity stint at Douglas High School. Demonstrating focus on the field and the classroom, Wilkinson notched a .513 average, .579 on base percentage, a 1.130 slugging percentage, 59 hits, 51 RBIs and 16 homeruns, while graduating Magna Cum Laude as a member of the National Honors Society.Â
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"I knew this was the place for me because I really enjoyed my experience at a prospect camp and the coaching staff was really supportive," Wilkinson said. "Not only does GCU have the major i'm interested in but I get to stay close to my family as well."
SYDNEY MCCRAY
Outfielder - Sarasota, Fla. - Florida Southwestern State College - Lakewood Ranch H.S.
"Syd is an athletic outfielder who can hit or slap from the left side," Hays said. "She was a big reason Florida Southwestern won the national championship last year, her brother is a top
prospect in the Giants organization and her dad was a great player in MLB so she brings a big-time pedigree. She will fit right in with the other talented, young, speed players in our lineup.""Syd McCray is an incredible pickup for the Lopes," Sherrill said. "She will make an immediate impact and I can't wait to work with her."
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McCray, a 2023 NFCA Golden Glove Award recipient, transfers from Florida Southwestern State where she won the 2023 NJCAA World Series and earned NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team, second-team NJCAA All-American, second-team NFCA All-South region, first-team FCSAA all-state, first-team All-Southern conference, and Southern Conference All-Academic team. Prior to her time Fort Myers, Fla., she was a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Lakewood Ranch High School where she won back-to-back state championships and was the runner-up for the Herald Tribute Softball Player of the Year award.Â
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"The environment of GCU's campus and the softball staff really seemed like the best fit for me and my personality," McCray said. I also have always wanted to go to school in Arizona because IÂ have a bunch of family in Scottsdale and on the West Coast."
WILLA FORD
Utility - Edmond, Okla. - Edmond Santa Fe H.S.
"Willa Ford is a super addition to our program. She's a talented kid who knows how to play the game at a high level," Hays said. "She was a highly recruited kid who has come off an injury
that sidelined her for a year but she is looking better than ever. Willa is athletic and skilled enough to play any position in the field and she brings a prolific bat as well. She's a great signee for us.""I'm thrilled to work with a fellow Okie infielder," Sherrill said. "Willa is an incredible athlete with raw talent, and I can't wait to watch her do great things at GCU."
Â
Ford started three years at Edmond Santa Fe High School, earning all-conference recognition her sophomore and senior year, and all-state praise in 2023. As is participating in softball, basketball, track and field, and bowling for the Wolves wasn't enough, Ford also graduated as the Valedictorian. Four of Ford's eight siblings (four brothers, four sisters) also play softball (three sisters) and football (one brother).Â
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"I love the environment and GCU's team chemistry," Ford said.
BRIAH WILLIAMS
Utility - Bagdad, Ariz. - Bagdad Christian H.S.
"Briah Williams was a late addition to our '24 class and I am thrilled we picked her up," Hays said. "She is an athletic kid who can do a lot of things to help a team win. Her speed will help us
immediately on the bases and I expect her to make an impact as she gets stronger and develops. Shes a great kid who is a great fit for our team."As a multi-sport athlete, Williams honed her leadership skills as a four-year varsity softball starter and three-year captain, and a four-year varsity volleyball starter and two-year captain. While playing softball she was named the 2023 1A Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and a two-time 1A West Region Player of the Year (2023, 2021); she also earned first-team all-region and all-conference honors in 2021 and 2022. As a volleyball player, Williams earned the 20221A West Region Player of the Year award, and received first-team all-conference praise in 2022 and first-team all-region recognition in 2021. Williams also joined the Bagdad Christian High School varsity basketball team as a sophomore. Exceeding academically as well, Williams is a three-time President's Honor Roll recipient, has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years, and earned a Culinary Arts Fundamentals Certificiation from Yavapai College in 2023.Â
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"I chose GCU because of the welcoming and friendly environment within the school and softball program," Williams said.
ARRIANA WRIGHT
Infield - Nashville, Tenn. - San Jacinto College - Woodlands College Park HS
"Arriana is a phenomenal athlete that will bring experience to our roster," Hays said. "Her confident presence on the field is special, and her ability to be a two way player with power at the plate and speed on the mound will absolutely help us next year."
"I'm thrilled see Arriana join the program," Sherrill said. "I look forward to her career at Grand Canyon."
Â
Wright did four years on Woodlands College Park High School softball starting lineup, while also competing in two years of volleyball, before continuing on to play the 2023 season at San Jacinto College where the Nashville native played in 58 games for a .500 batting average with 22 doubles, 18 home runs, and 73 RBI. The former Raven also earned first team All-South conference, conference Most Valuable Player, first team All-Region XIV, region Most Valuable Player, first team Midwest NFCA, second team NFCA All-American, and second team NJCAA All-American.
"I love the campus vibe and can't wait to start my degree at GCU," Wright said.
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