Meloche balances succesful softball career with busy academic schedule!

Revue de Web

Jordan Standup, Iorì:wase, Thu, Mar 23, 2023

“I think what I love most about softball is the competitiveness,” Meloche told Iorì:wase. “Another thing that’s super cool about the sport is that the game can change at any time. If we have a slow start, we can still pull ahead in the end, even if it’s the last inning.”

The softball star has spent her summers playing for Team Quebec and admits that she aims to fine tune her game each time she steps onto the field.

“Last summer, I went to the Canada Summer Games and won the silver medal with my team,” Meloche said. “I had the best batting average out of all the teams in that tournament, which I am very proud of.”

She was selected as the team’s most valuable player on more than one occasion during the national competition in the Niagara region last summer.

“That was the biggest tournament I have ever participated in,” Meloche said. “Normally, our tournaments are just softball, but this one included the best athletes from many different sports,” she said.

Meloche finished the tournament with a .609 batting average and she used the breakout performance at the Canada Games as motivation to continuing elevating her game to the next level.

“The best part of all of it was sharing this experience with my teammates,” she said.

Meloche is currently lending her talents to the Snappers softball squad while attending the Spoon River College. The Snappers recently wrapped up spring training in Cocoa Beach, Florida where they went 10-1-1.

“It’s a division II junior college team in Canton, Illinois,” Meloche explained. “I currently have a 4.0 GPA and am pursuing a degree in mathematics.”

She was quick to note that math has been one of her favourite subjects since she was in high school.

Meloche also said is thoroughly enjoying her time at Spoon River College. While she isn’t sure what school she would like to pursue next, she is determined to excel in the classroom and on the field.

“There aren’t any specific schools that I have in mind yet. However, I am aiming to go to a school with a division I softball team so that I can further my athletics as well as my academic career,” she said.

Living so far from home hasn’t always been easy, but Meloche was pleased to report that she has a great support system.

“Family and friends stay in contact with me and follow my athletics and academics accomplishments. I do get homesick quite a bit while I’m here and it helps me to be in contact with people from home to get my through those times,” she said.

Her parents, Lisa Westaway and Dean Meloche, are among her biggest fans.

Meloche continues to follow the dreams she set out for herself when she began playing softball.

“My goal since I was a kid has been to make Team Canada,” she said. “But a new goal I have is to make a division I team.”

She shared a few words with other young student-athletes who also want to pursue their dreams but aren’t sure where to begin.

“The best advice I have to give is just to go for it. Get in contact with as many coaches as you can just to get your name out there. I used an app called NCSA, which is designed to help athletes find a college,” Meloche said. “Just keep in mind that it is a really big commitment. Being away from home for almost ten months, practicing practically every day, and having to meet new people. It’s pretty much starting a whole new life, but if you really love your sport, it’s worth it.”

Revue de Web publiée par Jacques Lanciault.