Central Energy Teams prepare For 2024 Season

The warmer weather is a clear reminder that the Manitoba Premier Softball League regular season is just around the corner. League play begins the first weekend in May. The Central Energy AAA teams do not need that reminder, as preparing for this season began back in mid-September with tryouts for the 2024 season. Since then, teams have been busy practicing throughout the winter, getting into full swing after spring break.

All three age group teams have representation from all around the Central region.

Board member and Public Relations Director Jeremy Funk says he thinks the teams feel positive about the upcoming season.

"It's a pretty optimistic outlook. The teams look a little different then last year, because some girls move up in age groups. But we had a lot of success last year, and many of these girls have been in the Central Energy AAA Softball program since they were 11 or 12 years old," Funk continued. "There's no national tournament for U13 age group, but I know the U15 and U17 teams have returning to the national championship as a goal, and I think it's a pretty realistic goal based on the talent they have there."

U13 Central Energy AAA

The U13 team finished in 3rd place with a 16-8 record in the 2023 regular season. They also captured the Bronze Medal at the Provincial tournament held in Friedensfeld. This group is eager to hit the field for 2024!

Coaching Staff - Hailey Yuskin, Kelly Yuskin, Miranda Barker

Collins Vrooman – La Salle

Makenzie Bartlett – Carman

Hailey Baldwin – Portage

Aribella McGregor – Oak Bluff

Lindsay French – La Salle

Bianca Lanthier – Morden

Cassandra Lanthier – Morden

Sydney Lewko – Sanford

Beaudry English – St Eustache

Kelsey Dyck – Winkler

Brielle Friesen – Stanley

Kylie Wiebe – Osterwick

U15 Central Energy AAA

The U15 team finished in 2nd place with an 18-10 record in the 2023 regular season. They also won the Bronze Medal at the Provincial tournament held in Brandon. Placing 3rd at Provincials earned them a spot in the 2023 Canadian Nationals, which were also held in Brandon. The U15 team is looking forward to another successful season, eyeing a return to the Canadian Championship tournament.

Coaching Staff – Kevin Perrin, Aaron Anderson, Kylyn Shindle

Addison Nikkel – Winkler

Becca Anderson – La Salle

Bree Pearce – Manitou

Ella Conrad – Swan Lake

Kennedy Funk – Morden

Mya Richard – Elie

Rory Perrin – Morden

Shyanne Goertzen – Winkler

Sinead Convery – Morden

Taryn Toews – Stanley

Taylor Wall – Winkler

Zoey Shantz – Oak Bluff

U17 Central Energy AAA

The U17 team finished in 2nd place with an 18-10 record in the 2023 regular season, also winning the Silver Medal at the Provincial tournament held in Stonewall. The success at Provincials earned them a spot in the Canadian Championship tournament in Saskatoon. This promising roster will begin their push to return to the National stage.

Coaching Staff - Cam Zacharias, Mark Friesen

Maddy Friesen – Altona

Gabrielle Hildebrand – Morden

Kara Buhler – Winkler

Nelia Fehr – Morden

Emma Klassen – Reinfeld

Heidi Reimer – Stanley

Tori Mangin – Somerset

Brooklyn Friesen – Stanley

Molly Conrad – Swan Lake

Karli Toews – Stanley

Hailey-Jo Guffei – La Salle

Molly Cowan – Morden

Christina Van De Velde – Somerset