Paige Parker is Big 12’s female athlete of the year

Oklahoma softball pitcher Paige Parker, a former Truman High standout who helped the Sooners to the national championship, is the Big 12’s female athlete of the year.

Parker, a sophomore, tied a school record and led the nation with 38 wins. She had 14 shutouts and was 10-0 in 10 postseason starts for the Sooners, including a complete game in a 2-1 victory over Auburn that clinched the title.

In 2015, Parker pitched four perfect games and finished her freshman season 28-7.

Former Oklahoma basketball player Buddy Hield was chosen men’s athlete of the year by the conference, who announced the awards Tuesday.

Hield ended his Oklahoma career by averaging 25 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as he helped the Sooners reach the NCAA Final Four. He was also chosen national player of the year by several organizations and was chosen Big 12 player of the year for the second consecutive season.

The New Orleans Pelicans chose Hield with the No. 6 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft.

This story was originally published July 26, 2016 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Paige Parker is Big 12’s female athlete of the year."