Getting to know OU softball 2025: Kadey Lee McKay, Chaney Helton

The OU softball season is almost here. Almost. The four-time defending national champions, obviously, have a very different look in 2025.

So many of the names OU fans had grown to love like Jayda Coleman, Tiare Jennings, among a bevy of others, have moved on.

Only eight returning players from the four-peat squad. That means a whole new crop for head coach Patty Gasso and staff to try to get playing at a championship level.

Whether it’s through recruiting or the transfer portal, nobody is crying for OU. And Gasso landed some of the best of the best.

Now? Let’s get to know them. Before the season is underway, SoonerScoop is going to let the freshmen and transfers introduce themselves.

Kadey Lee McKay (INF, Fr., No. 22)

Chaney Helton (OF, Fr., No. 3)

Representing OKPreps?

McKay: It’s been a dream of mine since I was tiny to come here and play softball. It’s just dreams turning into reality for me and I just couldn’t be more blessed than getting this opportunity to even come out here to play.

Helton: It really always has been my dream to play at OU, and I know it’s been really special for my family as well. We’ve always been Sooner fans. Big, big fans of coach Gasso and the rest of the coaching staff. It’s just been a blessing to be here.

Recruiting process with Gasso?

McKay: Kind of mind blowing for me, really. I was like, ‘Is this really happening?’ It was kind of insane. I just knew from the start this is where I really wanted to play. I just continued to work towards that stuff and then realizing she was actually looking at me made me kind of work harder because this is everything I really wanted. It happened, so I’m here.

Helton: It just didn’t feel real. I had always dreamed of it and I always believed in myself that I could play at a really high level. Once coach Gasso started recruiting me, I was really just like wow, this is happening. I’m really making this happen. It was a great experience. I’m just so thankful every day to be here.

Moment the process became real?

McKay: For me, it was probably a little different. I was probably 13-14 years old when me and my dad and my mom kind of realized — I felt a little more experienced, played a little bit more experienced than everyone I was playing with. Then that was when we realized, ‘Hey, she might be something.’ I didn’t even play 16U travel ball. I straight up went from 14 to 18, so I was 14 playing with 18-19 year olds. That was probably one of the best things I could’ve done because that made me even more experienced and I learned so many more things playing with such older girls from my age. That’s just how mine went. Wouldn’t change it.

Helton: I always just had very high expectations for myself, and I know my family has, too. They pushed me to be where I am today. Once we started going through the recruiting process and more schools started finding more interest in me and once Coach Gasso started showing her interest in me, I was really just taken back more at the opportunity side. Never get ahead of myself for anything, but this is just such a blessing… I’m just so thankful. That’s just all I think about every day is just how blessed I am to be here.

The chase for five?

McKay: We’re a brand-new team. Being a freshman, it’s kind of just like normal I guess you could say, for me. It’s a new team, it’s new for me. Just the faith I think we have between each other and not really looking back, saying, ‘Oh they’ve done this, they’ve done that.’ I think it’s time to show ‘em what we can do, no matter the outcome. If we win one, we win another one. It’s god’s plan.

Helton: We’re a new team. I definitely love every single person that’s on our team. I think we all bring great assets to this program. It’s definitely gonna be a new look than what’s been in the past, but I just have so much respect for all of our girls. We’re just gonna go out there and do our thing, show who we are, do our own thing, set a new bar.

Going back home since joining OU?

McKay: Oh gosh. It’s crazy. I’ll tell you, every time we had a fall ball game, I couldn’t tell you how many people came and watched. It’s funny, before we even started coach Gasso told me,’ Your whole town is gonna be here watching you every chance they get.’ I said, ‘They sure are.’ Just trying to make them proud, for sure.