The U15A St. Albert Angels are heading to the Softball Canada U15 Girls’ National Championship later this month.
The team heading to nationals is made up of 11 players and two pickups. They will be one of just two Alberta teams competing at the tournament, which takes place Aug. 13 to 17 in Winkler and Morden, Man. The other Alberta representative is Calgary’s Kaizen Messina.
Coached by Cam Knechtel and Mike Lecavalier, the Angels qualified for nationals through their performance at provincials and are preparing to face top teams from across the country.
Knechtel said the group has built a strong foundation over several years and emphasized the importance of hitting and teamwork in their development.
“I think again, it is not even from the start of the season, so much as seeing these girls from the time they were eight or nine years old playing softball together,” Knechtel said. “What we have really instituted with this group is we want to be a really good hitting team. To see these girls grow up and mature to be, without a doubt, one of the best hitting teams in probably Western Canada, and we will find out if in Canada, is one of our most positive aspects.”
The Angels' emphasis on strong batting and team support has built a culture of confidence and resilience. Knechtel said the team thrives on collective encouragement.
“There is not a single kid that will go up to the plate that the whole team is not cheering for," he said. "Everybody has their opportunity to do something special.”
Player Kahlan Morin said she is looking forward to the competition and believes the team's focus and energy will be important throughout the tournament.
“I am really proud of this team, how far we've come, and it is going to be an amazing opportunity to play the best teams in Canada,” she said.
Morin highlighted the strong friendships that have developed within the team and noted that support from teammates is invaluable during difficult moments in games.
“We each pushed through, even if we were down. Somebody else was picking another player up,” Morin said. “It was really great.”
She expects competing at nationals to bring new challenges, including faster pitching and warmer temperatures.
Teammate Brooklyn Gogowich said the team has grown closer over the season and has worked steadily to improve.
“At first, it is like we are all strangers and just getting together,” she said. “Every practice, we get a better connection, and every week we get a little bit better.”
She noted that coming from a smaller town adds meaning to the team’s success.
“We do not have a lot of people to pick from, and to make it to Nationals is crazy for a smaller town compared to Calgary and Edmonton,” said Gogowich.
Looking ahead, Gogowich said the goal is to stay focused and take each inning as it comes.
“You need to win them in seven, so you just need to keep your focus all game and just work together,” she said. “I hope we just have fun together, work as a team and come out as an even stronger team.”
