NORMAN, Okla. — Lynnsie Elam’s father, Rusty, recently discovered a 16-year-old photo of his daughter with Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso.

Elam was only eight when the picture was captured at an OU softball summer camp and the nostalgia reinforced the warnings she’s received about life and its often unapologetic speed.

Elam is a “super senior” and team captain on OU’s top-ranked softball program, realizing childhood aspirations that she developed in Chickasha, Oklahoma, of eventually playing for Gasso.

Even with the extra year of eligibility she received after her junior year was shortened by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunity she always wanted has still flown by. But as she prepares for her final home regular-season series at Marita Hynes Field, Elam is overcome with gratitude.

“It's exceeded any dream I could have had,” said Elam, whose Sooners (45-1) face Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. Thursday for the first of three Bedlam contests in Norman this weekend.

“I’ve grown up an OU fan, so just being recruited by coach Gasso was an honor, of course. And then actually getting to commit here and realize that I'm coming here to play for her and all that, it was all surreal and bigger than anything I could have thought of.”