Dinos sign Wheeler

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Strathmore Thunder U21 fast pitch softball shortstop Libby Wheeler will be completing her eighth year this season before suiting up for the University of Calgary Dino’s team come fall, after signing a letter of intent at the end of March.
Wheeler is familiar with the Dinos’ coach Neil Harlos, having played for him at the 2014 Alberta Summer Games and against his U21 team last year.
“It was a tough decision,” said Wheeler. “I definitely really wanted to play a sport post-secondary. I think being able to have a team and go to a school that has a real good program for me, it was a real good decision.”
Softball was always fun and always came easy to the athlete, and it’s an exciting opportunity for her to continue the sport at a high level.
However, she knows that field time will have to be earned in the first year.
“I think I have a pretty good chance,” said Wheeler. “I was playing U21 last year as a 16-year-old. I’ve seen a lot of older girls of how they pitch and how they play. I’m expecting it to be a challenge but it’s something I’m definitely up to. I’m excited to go into university having a good group of girls that I’ll be able to make friends with and keep myself busy while I’m at school.”
Harlos said to Wheeler that their goal as a team is to go to nationals and the organization looks at players who’ll help them reach their goals.
“She’s someone in the next four years that’ll continue to improve and someone that we can work with and develop into an even better player,” said Harlos. “That’s important too because we really have no interest in taking on players that we don’t think are going to work hard to improve themselves. I think with Libby we have a player that’s going to do that.”
He added that the shortstop has a vacancy this upcoming season and she’ll get her opportunities. Her strong play in the batter’s box will be an asset for the player.
Wheeler will be enrolled in the Kinesiology program.