The Daily O’Collegian

It’s a typical August afternoon in Stillwater, where sweat drips from every pore and locusts are heard from all around.

The temperature is hovering in the mid-90s and the sun is slowly setting on the Oklahoma State soccer complex.

The freshly cut grass is in pristine condition, showing no signs of wear or tear as the Cowgirls dart in every direction.

At first glance nothing seems out of the ordinary. But after ten minutes of practice, senior midfielder Yolanda Odenyo captures everyone’s attention.

In that short time, Odenyo scored twice and effortlessly juggled the ball over a defender’s head before unleashing a palm-stinging shot at the goalkeeper.

No one seems surprised, though. After all, in Odenyo’s two seasons at OSU, she has made a habit of making the majestic look commonplace. But several plays stick out to her peers.

For instance, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Odenyo introduced herself to UNC-Greensboro. “Yo,” as her teammates call her, dribbled from midfield, beat three players and scored.

“It was unbelievable,” senior midfielder Sasa Jackson said. “I think I passed her the ball and just stood there and watched her take on the whole team and score.”

Not impressed yet?

“Oh, and in the spring she scored two goals on kickoffs.”

Thought so.

Odenyo’s soccer wizardry not only amazes her teammates, but it also motivates them. The latter was the case last season in an overtime win against Kansas, coach Colin Carmichael said.

“The ball was played in behind [Kansas’] back line and Yolanda came out of nowhere, got in front of the keeper, rounded the keeper, slotted home, won 1-0,” Carmichael said. “I think that really kick-started our season because I think the girls realized at that stage we can beat a good team. I think that play was one of the defining moments for sure.”

Yo’s journey to Stillwater is perhaps more unlikely than even her finest of goals.

Three years ago, Odenyo, while playing club soccer in her native Sweden, committed to soccer dynasty North Carolina.

The NCAA deemed Odenyo a professional because of the club team she played for.

The 19-time national champion Tar Heels essentially cut ties with Odenyo.

“North Carolina did not pursue it because they probably don’t need to pursue it,” Carmichael said. “They’ve got enough top players so they probably didn’t think it was that important.

“They basically said, ‘Sorry. Go home, can’t get you in.’”

That’s when Oklahoma State came into picture. Former OSU basketball player Andre Williams, who was playing professionally in Sweden, had befriended Odenyo and put her in contact with OSU coach Karen Hancock.

That wasn’t OSU’s only connection. Former OSU basketball player Fredrik Jonzen was Odenyo’s high school basketball coach. They are both Uppsala, Sweden.

Whether Odenyo’s club team competed at the amateur or professional level wasn’t clear.

Hancock and Carmichael researched more information and realized Odenyo was eligible to play in college.

“Our compliance people dug a little deeper, Karen and I dug a little deeper, and basically the person in the NCAA who ruled [Odenyo] a professional changed his mind and said, ‘Based on this information, she can play,’” Carmichael said. “So we photocopied that about 800 times and haven’t looked back.”

However, Odenyo’s status wasn’t cleared entirely. She lost one year of eligibility and entered Oklahoma State as a sophomore.

Regardless, Odenyo said she was grateful for the coaching staff’s hard work.

“They really worked their butts off for eight months to get me reinstated, and now here I am,” Odenyo said.

Before Odenyo’s arrival, the team was buzzing about the new Swedish player. When the players met her, Odenyo said her appearance surprised them.

“That was funny, they all expected a blond, blue-eyed, tall, big girl,” Odenyo said. “But no one said anything at first, and then when they got to know me they were like, ‘So were there really black people in Sweden?’ That’s like everyone’s question when people figure out I’m not from here. People don’t want to offend you, so I just say it [out] loud myself now.”

Odenyo, whose father is Kenyan and mother is Swedish, said because most of her family is spread throughout the world, it didn’t take long for her to adjust to her new surroundings.

“I’m used to having family all over and not necessarily having everyone around me at all times,” Odenyo said. “I can feel at home anywhere in the world, and when you come also to play a sport at a school you get a whole new family, so it’s not as hard.”

It did take Odenyo longer to adjust to the Oklahoma heat. Asthma and allergies also hampered her in her first season as a Cowgirl. Carmichael and Odenyo were quick to say her fitness wasn’t where it needed to be.

Despite her health obstacles, Odenyo was eventually named All-Big 12, but the OSU coaches weren’t satisfied. They knew that if Yo’s fitness was in order, she was capable of taking over games.

“First year I came, you’re kinda watching and trying to not take too much space,” Odenyo said. “The coaches got at me after the season and said, ‘You know you can dominate.’ So I worked on my fitness and got my asthma under control.

“That was step one because if you’re going to dominate a game you have to run all over for 90 minutes. I knew I had it in me and they knew as well, so I made a commitment to go for it.”

As Odenyo begins her senior season, she is recognized as a top player in the country. Yo is up for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Award, soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy, and is a consensus preseason All-American.

Naturally, Odenyo will be looked to for leadership. Odenyo said that was the case a season ago, adding that she leads by example.

“I can’t be telling my teammates to do their homework if I don’t do mine,” Odenyo said. “I can’t be telling them to make runs if I don’t do my runs. So that’s step No. 1: Take care of yourself and others will see that. By doing that, you gain respect.”

As Odenyo continues to weave in and out of traffic on this steamy summer day, her calm demeanor never wavers. Her expressionless face stays the same whether she is taking a breather or splitting two defenders.

“I think I was just born that way,” Odenyo said. “If people see my dad, they say I’m just as cool as him. I think that’s just an Odenyo trait. We don’t really get fazed by much.”