Strathmore girls win at Summer Games

Times Reporter 

 

Strathmore was well represented on the Zone 2 ladies softball championship team at the Alberta Summer Games in Airdrie July 24-27.

Taryn Tanton, Shaylene Magwood, Ann Sauve, Megan Stefanich, Cassidy Hinz, Brianna Olson, Libby Wheeler and Jordan Mitchell claimed the gold medal after Zone 2 defeated Zone 7 in the final.

After a successful season with the Strathmore Thunder U16 team, the eight girls earned a spot on the Zone 2 team.

“I was really excited, I was really surprised actually,” said Cassidy Hinz. “I did not know I was going to make it.”

The atmosphere around the event is what many athletes cherish because the opportunity is there to interact with other athletes and to make lifelong friendships and memories. 

“It was really unique there and everything was super organized,” said Hinz, who also plays ringette and volleyball. “The experience overall being in a big competition (and playing) with quite a few players from Strathmore was cool.”

“I was really surprised that I was one of the players that made it out of all the girls that tried out,” said Brianna Olson. “It was really fun to be a part of such a big event.”

The best part about being at the games for Olson was being able to make friends with her new teammates. 

Jordon Mitchell found out at the tryouts that she had made the team and was really excited about making the squad for the second time 

“I thought the one this year was really good (compared to) the one two years ago as there was more hype about it,” said Mitchell.

The experience for Mitchell was one she will never forget, as hanging out with the other athletes and doing team bonding was exhilarating 

As for Megan Stefanich, she really was enthused about the team assembled for the games.

“I was really excited, and confident in the team,” said Stefanich “The experience was really positive throughout (the games) because it was really cool getting to the gold medal game and coming out with gold was great.”

Her favorite part of the games was spending time with the girls because they were a great team to be with. 

For Libby Wheeler, it was her second go around at the Summer Games and just the excitement of the first one made her want to come back.

“(The atmosphere) was a lot different this time because there was only two of us on the team that have done it twice and we knew what to expect,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler’s favourite part was “probably meeting a whole new field of girls. My team from the season was there and getting to play against (opponents) that I have already faced was cool.”

Shaylene Magwood was more than delighted at getting the nod to go to the Alberta Summer Games. 

“I was actually super excited because I had friends who competed in the Winter Games and they told me about their great experience and (their excitement) to play on the team,” said Magwood. She plays volleyball and badminton.

Taryn  Tanton had a great experience at the games. 

“Nervous and excited at the same time, and just being there was amazing,” said Tanton.

She also added that being there around all other athletes was a highlight.