Grace Wardle signed a national letter of intent this week 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.
Wardle started her softball career in 2004 as a Thunderdog with local coaches Howard Walton and Robin Sukorokoff, playing house ball with the New Westminster minor softball association until she made the jump to Rep A ball in 2010, where she played two years for 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, Grace 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. "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."
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.
Wardle had interest from schools in Arizona and Georgia before accepting the Graceland University scholarship offer.
