Former Sabino and Wisconsin standout Kelsey Jenkins Harshman was named to Team Canada on Wednesday. The program returns to the Olympics for the first time since Beijing in 2008.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know these last couple years of hard work and dedication are finally paying off,” Harshman said. “There have been so many amazing people that have helped this happen and each and every one of them I am so grateful for!”
TEAM CANADA ROSTER
Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON) – Pitcher
Emma Entzminger (Victoria, BC) – Infield
Larissa Franklin (Maple Ridge, BC) – Outfield
Jennifer Gilbert (Saskatoon, SK) – Outfield
Sara Groenewegen (Surrey, BC) – Pitcher
Kelsey Harshman (Delta, BC) – Infield
Victoria Hayward (Toronto, ON) – Outfield
Danielle Lawrie (Langley, BC) – Pitcher
Janet Leung (Mississauga, ON) – Infield
Joey Lye (Toronto, ON) – Utility
Erika Polidori (Brantford, ON) – Outfield
Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON) – Catcher
Lauren Regula (Trail, BC) – Pitcher
Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, BC) – Infield
Natalie Wideman (Mississauga, ON) – Catcher
“Although only 15 were named to the roster, each and every person is just as special and important to finish out this journey with the result we all want, A GOLD MEDAL,” Harshman added. “I’m proud to be Canadian and honoured to wear the Maple Leaf in Tokyo this summer.”
Harshman joined the Canadian junior national team in 2015. She made her senior debut in 2018 at the Canada Cup where she was the tournament’s top hitter, leading Canada to its first gold at the event in 22 years. At the 2018 WBSC World Championships, she drove in five runs to help Canada win its second consecutive bronze medal.
Harshman made the roster for the WBSC Softball Americas Olympic Qualifier. She was one of Canada’s biggest offensive threats, with a .533 batting average and 10 runs scored while leading the team with five doubles as Canada booked its ticket to Tokyo 2020.
Harshman played collegiately at Wisconsin, helping the Badgers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018. She started in every single game throughout her four years, setting school records in all-time runs (180), on base percentage (.527), and consecutive games on base (40). She was the first freshman at UW to be named to the All-BigTen team, as well as the first three-time selection to the All-BigTen team in school history. She was also named to the 2017 All-BigTen Defensive Team.
Harshman made 119 appearances for Sabino, held a .540 batting average with 207 hits and 75 RBI. She was the 2014 Tucson Unified School District Female Athlete of the Year, named to the All-Arizona first-team and named Southern Arizona Player of the Year.
Portions from a release.
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017, a 2019 AZ Education News award winner and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019 and he is a member of the Amphi COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Committee. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
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