Catching Up With Jenn Salling
September 27, 2016 | Softball
Hey Dawg fans!!
First off, just want to thank you all for your constant love and support while traveling throughout the summer whether it has been with the Canadian National Team or a National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) team. This past summer was my second summer back with the National Team since being drafted in 2011 to the Professional League. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go back and play for Canada. These women are incredible. We protect each other like we are family and take care of one another like we do our own. I have been fortunate enough to play on many teams and I truly believe the group we have is something special. Selfless, loyal, committed, accountable, trusting, owning roles...the list goes on.
We came together June 11th and left one another with a bronze medal on July 24th. We started our journey in California and did quite a bit of traveling during our time together. Our travels looked like this: California, Japan, California, Oklahoma City and finally Canada. We played over 30 games within that time frame so it sure made our time together pass by very quickly. I thought this summer's schedule specifically prepared us extremely well for the World Championships. Personally, I think traveling to Japan was the best thing we could have ever done. If you have ever gotten a chance to watch them train, practice and compete you will know exactly why they are a country that will prepare you for a big event. They do it right all the time, day in and day out and know what it takes to win on the biggest stage. If you have not witnessed their system, I highly recommend watching them if you ever get a chance!!
Additionally, the World Cup is always a great event to start learning some information about other countries. This was our first event of the summer where we faced countries that would be competing in the World Championships. Although we did not finish where we would have anticipated, we learned a lot about ourselves and our team during that week. We were tested, challenged and also experienced some really great moments. One thing I will say is, if you can play in OKC weather in the summer time, you can play anywhere!!! Is it ever hot and humid there!! It had been a while since I played in OKC because of being in the NPF, so it sure brought back a lot of memories. Although the facility had changed a bit due to some renovations, I couldn't help but go down memory lane when running in and out from shortstop and walking to and from the batter's box. The 2009 National Championship memories/feelings were running through me all week literally just being in Oklahoma City. It was fun reliving those moments.
From Oklahoma City we went North to Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. We flew into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and made our way to the Holiday Inn Hotel. Just to give a little context. I was born in Burnaby, BC, Canada and was raised in Port Coquitlam (another suburb of Vancouver) and as I mentioned earlier, the World Championships were held in Surrey, BC. Surrey is about forty minutes from where my parents live. When I found out World Championships were going to be held in Surrey, BC, I was actually playing in the NPF at the time. When we landed in Vancouver for the World Championships it was the most surreal feeling. My internal dialogue was this "Jenn, you need to pinch yourself a little bit because at 29 years old you have the opportunity to play for your country in front of loved one and citizens that bleed red and white. Not to mention there are 31 other countries participating." I couldn't believe it. My whole family there watching, including Coach Tarr. Any opportunity there is for Coach Tarr to watch her former players compete she is there. To say the least, I was a proud Husky and Canadian.
The event lasted about 10 days. We played two round robins and then came the elimination round. Our second round robin kicked off with Venezuela. For as long as I have been a part of the National Team Program (10 years), Venezuela has always played us extremely tough. Well, they did just that in the World Championships, too. We ended up losing to them in our first game of the second round robin. From there forward we won the remaining games left in the round robin but because of the first loss we only earned a single life in the medal round. After facing Venezuela, we then competed against Puerto Rico and Italy in that round robin and took care of business. However, our backs were against the wall from the loss to Venezuela. We knew it, we owned it and embraced it. Was it what we had planned, no! However, there is something about knowing that you have to give whatever you possibly have that day NO MATTER WHAT to keep your team alive.
We (Canada) ended up walking away with a bronze medal from the World Championships. At the end of the day this was truly an unforgettable summer, but to be honest, the last two summers have been. Winning a gold medal in Toronto, ON, Canada last summer and winning a bronze medal this summer in Surrey, BC, Canada is a feeling that I cannot describe in words. Much like winning a National Championship.
Speaking of feelings!! 2020 here we go!! It is crazy to think the last time softball was in the Olympics was 2008. This past August was such a special time for the sport of softball and I cannot wait to see what transpires for the softball community over the next four years. Thank you all for continuing to support Husky Softball and the sport in general. Life gets fast, people get busy but I hope all of you Husky supporters never forget how much we appreciate you.
Looking forward to seeing you all during the 2016-17 season and beyond.
Go Dawgs,
Jenn Salling
First off, just want to thank you all for your constant love and support while traveling throughout the summer whether it has been with the Canadian National Team or a National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) team. This past summer was my second summer back with the National Team since being drafted in 2011 to the Professional League. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go back and play for Canada. These women are incredible. We protect each other like we are family and take care of one another like we do our own. I have been fortunate enough to play on many teams and I truly believe the group we have is something special. Selfless, loyal, committed, accountable, trusting, owning roles...the list goes on.
We came together June 11th and left one another with a bronze medal on July 24th. We started our journey in California and did quite a bit of traveling during our time together. Our travels looked like this: California, Japan, California, Oklahoma City and finally Canada. We played over 30 games within that time frame so it sure made our time together pass by very quickly. I thought this summer's schedule specifically prepared us extremely well for the World Championships. Personally, I think traveling to Japan was the best thing we could have ever done. If you have ever gotten a chance to watch them train, practice and compete you will know exactly why they are a country that will prepare you for a big event. They do it right all the time, day in and day out and know what it takes to win on the biggest stage. If you have not witnessed their system, I highly recommend watching them if you ever get a chance!!
Additionally, the World Cup is always a great event to start learning some information about other countries. This was our first event of the summer where we faced countries that would be competing in the World Championships. Although we did not finish where we would have anticipated, we learned a lot about ourselves and our team during that week. We were tested, challenged and also experienced some really great moments. One thing I will say is, if you can play in OKC weather in the summer time, you can play anywhere!!! Is it ever hot and humid there!! It had been a while since I played in OKC because of being in the NPF, so it sure brought back a lot of memories. Although the facility had changed a bit due to some renovations, I couldn't help but go down memory lane when running in and out from shortstop and walking to and from the batter's box. The 2009 National Championship memories/feelings were running through me all week literally just being in Oklahoma City. It was fun reliving those moments.
From Oklahoma City we went North to Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. We flew into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and made our way to the Holiday Inn Hotel. Just to give a little context. I was born in Burnaby, BC, Canada and was raised in Port Coquitlam (another suburb of Vancouver) and as I mentioned earlier, the World Championships were held in Surrey, BC. Surrey is about forty minutes from where my parents live. When I found out World Championships were going to be held in Surrey, BC, I was actually playing in the NPF at the time. When we landed in Vancouver for the World Championships it was the most surreal feeling. My internal dialogue was this "Jenn, you need to pinch yourself a little bit because at 29 years old you have the opportunity to play for your country in front of loved one and citizens that bleed red and white. Not to mention there are 31 other countries participating." I couldn't believe it. My whole family there watching, including Coach Tarr. Any opportunity there is for Coach Tarr to watch her former players compete she is there. To say the least, I was a proud Husky and Canadian.
The event lasted about 10 days. We played two round robins and then came the elimination round. Our second round robin kicked off with Venezuela. For as long as I have been a part of the National Team Program (10 years), Venezuela has always played us extremely tough. Well, they did just that in the World Championships, too. We ended up losing to them in our first game of the second round robin. From there forward we won the remaining games left in the round robin but because of the first loss we only earned a single life in the medal round. After facing Venezuela, we then competed against Puerto Rico and Italy in that round robin and took care of business. However, our backs were against the wall from the loss to Venezuela. We knew it, we owned it and embraced it. Was it what we had planned, no! However, there is something about knowing that you have to give whatever you possibly have that day NO MATTER WHAT to keep your team alive.
We (Canada) ended up walking away with a bronze medal from the World Championships. At the end of the day this was truly an unforgettable summer, but to be honest, the last two summers have been. Winning a gold medal in Toronto, ON, Canada last summer and winning a bronze medal this summer in Surrey, BC, Canada is a feeling that I cannot describe in words. Much like winning a National Championship.
Speaking of feelings!! 2020 here we go!! It is crazy to think the last time softball was in the Olympics was 2008. This past August was such a special time for the sport of softball and I cannot wait to see what transpires for the softball community over the next four years. Thank you all for continuing to support Husky Softball and the sport in general. Life gets fast, people get busy but I hope all of you Husky supporters never forget how much we appreciate you.
Looking forward to seeing you all during the 2016-17 season and beyond.
Go Dawgs,
Jenn Salling
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