The U19 Central Energy softball team was extremely successful this past year.

The squad finished the year with a silver medal and first basewoman Kylyn Shindle says the final outing was only their second loss all season. She says they started the season very late due to COVID but she feels it was a great experience. Shindle notes it was her first year of U19 softball but says she's been playing for a while.

"The 2004 born Energy girls was the first Central Energy team to be full-time. So, I've been playing with them since my first year of U12," Shindle explains. "I've been there for quite some time, I think this is my seventh year with the program. So, I have quite a bit of experience."

Shindle used that experience in more ways than one this past year as she also began her coaching career where she started her playing career, at the U12 level. She says the team captured gold at the U12 provincial championship and notes it was just as satisfying to win as a coach as it is a player.

"It was awesome to see the smiles on their faces and you just know they wanted it so bad and worked so hard," says Shindle. "I couldn't be prouder of the girls, they deserved it. They worked so hard, picked each other up, and had great attitudes. It was pretty unbelievable since they're only 12-years-old."

Shindle says she feels her on-field play was, and will continue to be, improved by teaching others.

"When you're teaching girls how to swing, hit, and field balls, it actually makes you think about your own swing and position play," Shindle explains. "When you're trying to break it down for them, you're using everything you learned over the years. I think everything in my game improved from that."

She notes next season should see the U19 squad have a lot of returning players and she's hopeful that they can compete in tournaments as well. Shindle says she is excited to continue to build the relationship with the U12 players as well.