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