Storyline: Houston-area native Cat Osterman excelled in softball at UT Austin and was a two-time Olympic medalist for USA Softball.
Growing up in Houston, my friends and I follow great athletes who’ve played for a Houston team or grew up in the city. That includes following high school athletes.
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And when it comes to great high school athletes the one that stands out is a softball pitcher named Cat Osterman. Osterman, who played for Cypress Springs High School, tore it up on the diamond.
Osterman started playing softball in the first grade, but quit to focus on basketball and soccer. Later in grade school she decided to come back to the game and continued playing it all the way through high school, where she set several high school records, including striking out 33 batters in a 14-inning, 1-0 shutout win, over Cy-Fair High School (2001).
After graduating, Osterman attended the University of Texas at Austin where she was named Big 12 first team as a freshman and “Pitcher of the Year.” During one week in February she threw two no-hitters!
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Osterman got nationwide attention for her mound work that year. She decided to redshirt the following year so that she could participate in the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.
It was a good decision. Osterman went undefeated in 24 appearances for USA Softball during its 53-game schedule. That team blew out the Olympic competition. In the Gold Medal game against China, Osterman gave up one hit, four walks, and struck out 10 batters over six innings. USA won, 3-0, to take home the Gold.
Four years later Osterman was again chosen to represent her country in the 2008 Olympic games (Beijing). Osterman helped Team USA blow past competition with 22 consecutive wins en route to a Gold Medal match against Japan. But the streak ended there. Osterman pitched 5 innings in a 3-1 loss.
Cat Osterman continues to excel. She is spokesperson for Under Armor and has endorsement deals with other sports-related companies, like Wilson. Still active in softball, Osterman serves currently as assistant coach at Texas State University.
Cat Osterman is an example of a Houston-based athlete who has achieved greatness.
This is awesome! I got to meet Cat when she played some games at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock Texas, several years ago. Home of the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. My wife and I both work there for 6 & 7 seasons, respectively. Cat is a wonderful young lady and it was a joy to watch her pitch. I didn’t know her hustory?history?! But, now I do, thanks to this great article by Matthew Paris. Thanks for this info!