Whitby fastball player to represent Canada in Beijing
Oct 19, 2007 - 04:06 PM
WHITBY -- The Olympic dream will come true for Whitby's Erin McLean next year.
McLean was announced on Friday as one of the 15 players who will play for Canada's softball team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
It comes as little surprise, considering McLean has been a staple on the team for the past three years, and has played a key role in a successful run by the team of late.
One of 20 taking part at the China Cup the past couple of weeks, McLean helped Canada bring home a silver medal, losing to China in the championship game. The tournament served as final evaluation for the Softball Canada coaching staff.
"The final selection decisions were difficult," said head coach Lori Sippel. "We have increased the depth of our program and the competition for positions on the team was a reflection of that. I would like to thank all the players who put themselves on the line for a spot on the roster; we will be a better team for their efforts."
The Canadian team is currently ranked fifth in the world based on its finish at last year's ISF World Championships, but over the past summer, the women have shown they can compete with the best. Canada played a number of very solid games in 2007, registering wins against Japan (2nd), Australia (3rd) and China (4th), and expects to be in the thick of the battle in Beijing.
Other podium finishes in 2007 included a bronze at the World Cup, silver at the Pan-American Games and gold at the Universiade.
"Now our focus is squarely on Aug. 12, 2008 and the start of the Olympic tournament," said Sippel. "We are putting together an excellent preparation program and I know that our players are committed to being at their best for the Olympics."
McLean, who turns 22 next month, played at the Junior World Championships in 2004 and the World Championships in 2006. She won the 2007 Bill Devries award for excellence in athletics and academics at Simon Fraser University, where she studied Marketing and Human Resources.
Recommend :