Grace Lyons - A Reflection of Him

As Oklahoma softball star Grace Lyons has helped lead the Sooners to a 30-0 start to the year, her impact has been felt throughout the program since she arrived in Norman. After starting all 63 games her freshman year with the Sooners, Grace has continued to contribute for the Sooners throughout her time there. Now a senior, Grace has had an outstanding year, currently holding a .420 avg with 12 home runs. As she looks to lead the Sooners to a championship, she does so with faith as her guide.

Originally born in Bitburg, Germany, Lyons grew up in Peoria, Arizona, where she became a star on the field. Growing as an athlete, Grace also says she saw her faith develop more than ever throughout her time in high school.

“I grew up in a Christian household but never made my faith my own until the beginning of high school. It was at that time in my life that I realized I wanted to put action to my faith, and I began to feel a strong passion for the Lord. I started getting involved in FCA, leading prayers on my high school team and inviting people to church. I truly believe when we take action with our faith, God will use us in new ways that we didn’t even realize we could have influence in.”

After finishing up her storied high school career, the infielder committed to Oklahoma for her collegiate career. Since putting on the Sooner uniform, Grace says that it is her faith that drives her every time that she takes the field.

“First of all, I wouldn’t be here at this level and at this University without the talents and abilities God has blessed me with. So every day I’m out on that field, my goal is to glorify God with every second I’m out there.”

Grace says that her platform as a softball player has given her the opportunity to showcase her faith through her play.

“As Christians, our purpose is to go tell others about Jesus, so my passion is to spread the Gospel and the Good News to fans, teammates, and other players.”

Recently, Grace also started The Players Conference, a gathering of college athletes that spend a few days together growing in faith and service. Through events like these, Grace’s emphasis on making an impact continues to be showcased. As she looks towards the time she has left at Oklahoma, she says she hopes it is filled with joy and the chance to demonstrate to others the faith she holds close.

“The biggest impact I hope to have is that people can see Jesus shining through me. I want to live a consistent life in my faith and also in my sport. While I may not have all the answers, I want to be a resource for teammates to learn about and talk about Jesus whenever they want to. When people see me, I want them to see Jesus.”

As Oklahoma looks to continue its incredible start to the season, Grace says that she knows her results lie beyond the game of softball. Even though she has become one of the top players in the sport, Grace says that she hopes to be remembered for far more than just her softball career. She wants every step she takes to be a reflection of God’s grace in her life as she looks to use every opportunity to point others to him.