U19 Thunder practicing on Sunday, June 27, 2021

By Teagan Rasche

U19 Thunder

Local softball team inspired by the Olympics

Jun 28, 2021 | 5:34 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The U19 Thunder is more than just a softball team, it’s a sisterhood.

“They mean everything to me, they’re like family,” said pitcher Mia Kelly. “We’ve known each other since we were like 12 and we’ve been on the same team since we were 12.”

After eight years together, this is the Thunder’s final season for the team as they know it as many players are graduating this year.

But this season is special in more ways than one. For the first time since 2008, softball is back in the Olympics.

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Center fielder Makayla Clarke says it’s motivating to see.

“When I was younger, like 12 and 13, there was no one above me to really see and now as U19, I can look up to the Olympics, Canada’s national team and inspire people below me as well,” Clarke said.

Head coach Scott Kelly says he’s also looking forward to seeing softball back in the Olympics this year.

He says it means a lot for his team to be able to see the sport they play on a grand scale.

“Having the Olympics skip softball out then bring it back in, just shows that it’s such a great sport and you look at the TV ratings for the NCAA finals here and it was amazing how many people tuned in,” Scott said.”

As the sport keeps growing, so does the impact of role models. One of Team Canada’s Olympic softball players has been mentoring the Thunder.

BC-based Emma Entzminger has done a Zoom meeting with the young women and provided guidance for them.

“Talking about where to find that motivation and how leaning on teammates or doing whatever you can get one percent better every day, whether you have no access to fields or batting cages but finding little ways to improve your game,” Entzminger said.

The Thunder have competed in one tournament so far and have two to go before they host provincials on July 31.

As the season continues, Mia is also happy to see softball back in the Olympics and plans to use that as motivation.

“I think it’s amazing because I get to watch my role models play and I love watching women play professional sports,” Mia said.