Grace Wardle recently signed a national letter of intent to attend Graceland University and play for the Yellow Jacket softball program under coach Bryn Braddock.
Graceland University is located in Lamoni, Iowa, and is a Tier 1 academic NAIA school.
"I got a really good feel for (Graceland)," said Wardle. "I'm happy to be a part of the team."
Wardle started her softball career in 2004 as a Thunderdog in the New Westminster minor softball association house league with local coaches Howard Walton and Robin Sukorokoff until she made the jump to Rep A ball in 2010.
There she played two seasons with the Richmond Islanders.
Last year, as Miss New Westminster 2012, Wardle juggled both ball team responsibilities and ambassador duties while travelling the Pacific Northwest on the Hyack Festival Association float and competing in recruiting ball tournaments.
Last July, Wardle was selected to the only Canadian team that participated in the Adidas Futures Tournament in St. George, Utah.
As starting catcher, Wardle anchored the all-star team to a ninth-place finish out of 36 American teams.
"(Wardle) is without a doubt one of the hardest working players I have had the opportunity to coach. Her attitude, commitment to excellence, humility, coach-ability, and eagerness to improve daily are characteristics that only a champion possesses," said Canada Futures head coach Joni Frei in a submit-ted release. "I often tell my players to be the type of teammate that you would like to have, and Gracie epitomizes this concept. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to coach Gracie and have every belief that she will go on to do great things not only on the softball field but beyond the white lines."
Despite the encouraging words, Wardle knows she will have to fight for a starting spot at the Heart of America conference school.
"The good thing about (Graceland) is it has a varsity team and a junior varsity team," Wardle added. "You are always working for your spot, which is really good in a team atmosphere. No one gets lazy. Everyone is working their hardest."
Wardle will be busy away from the ball diamond as well.
The New Westminster Secondary grad will be working towards a major
in business administration, and perhaps a minor in drama and improv at the Liberal arts school.
Wardle currently plays with the Burnaby Oakeys Rep A midget team under coaches Chris Bettles, Brittany Mayers and Cassidy Lee.
This season, the Oakeys have been very successful in both Lower Mainland league play and in recruiting tournaments in Washington, Oregon and California.
As a developed utility player, Wardle plays catcher, third base and shortstop. She sports a .360 batting average and a .967 fielding average to date.
"I'm very confident in my ability to play at the next level," Wardle said. "I'm going to school to play softball, but the most important thing is schooling."
Wardle had interest from schools in Arizona and Georgia before accepting the Graceland University scholarship offer.
