There is one more major award coming the 2001 Delta Heat’s way for their magical season.
The 2017 provincial and national U16A champions have been named Softball B.C.’s Minor Team of the Year. They will be honoured at the organization’s Awards Gala on Oct. 21 in Richmond.
The Heat proved to be the little engine that could.
After earning runner-up finishes in prior years, they kept their eye on gold. Through hard work and determination they achieved their goal.
A victory at the provincial championships was followed by a thrilling week at Nationals — right on their home diamond. The girls overcame a difficult draw to prevail in seven must-win games, including a dramatic 6-5 triumph over defending champion 2001 Surrey Storm in the gold medal tilt.
For many of these players their commitment to fastpitch started in the fall of 2011 when they decided to try out for Delta’s U12 (then known as Squirt division) rep program.
With the declining enrollment in both North and South Delta softball, the 2001 birth year would be the first time talent would be combined from both regions of the municipality. This team was also the beginning of bringing the North Delta, South Delta and Heat associations together.
The talented group, along with a long line of older teams who also proudly wore the “Heat” logo, have built a name for this association that will not soon be forgotten.
At times, it seems like these girls eat, sleep and breathe ball. But they are also a team that finds time for their community and giving back to the sport they love.
They have volunteered at soup kitchens, animal shelters, and wildlife and nature reserves. They have run for Breast Cancer fundraisers, collected food for the food banks and this year they made over 1,500 bag lunches for a Delta Teachers Pro D day. They have also helped out at learn-to-play clinics, Delta Special Olympics and any other event they can fit into their busy schedules.
The countless hours of guidance, support and instruction they receive from their great coaching staff along with the love and respect they have for each other has proven to be a recipe for success.
The team includes: Emily Horne, Aymee Godmaire, Gabby Dorval, Amy De Ste Croix, Hanna Hansen, Rawnie Weststrate, Veronica Sawatzky, Maya Gauley, Megan Hendrickson, Stephanie Schina, Kianna Jones, Olivia Malesku and Jessie Weststrate. The girls are coached by Bill Olexa, Bob Houtman, Doug Harris, Francais Olexa, and Tory Cardinal.
