Name a sport and there’s a good chance Shae Borle plays it. And plays it well.
Volleyball, badminton, running, throwing a discus or shot put – she has excelled at all these activities and more.
Now the 13-year-old has an even more glittering accolade on her resume: a first place in softball throwing at a provincial meet.
Not just a first, mind you, but also a provincial record.
The Barrhead Composite High School student threw 47.18 metres, smashing the previous record of 44.11m, achieved in 2004.
Shae’s feat came in the 13-14 girls category at Hershey’s Provincial Track &Field Games at Foote Field, Edmonton, on Saturday, June 22.
There were 18 other competitors, including fellow BCHS student Jill Starman who came third with a throw of 33.06m. Second place went to Hayley Lalor from Red Deer, who threw 42.41m.
Proving their versatility, Shae and Jill also took part in the 4 by 100m relay.
The team of Jill, Bella Ricci, McKenna Dievert and Maddie Koberstein came fourth, while Shae and teammates Josie Michaud, Caitlin Hudson and Katelynn Hamilton placed seventh.
The Barrhead running teams were coached by Gayle and Laurin Lamothe.
After her softball throwing victory, Shae was presented with a blue ribbon as proud mom Stephanie Brost looked on, clicking her camera.
“I was surprised and thrilled,” Shae said last week.
Surprised she may have been, but those following her sporting progress must have known such an achievement was within her grasp.
After all, this was her second year at the provincials, and last time she came third without performing at her absolute best.
Shae, who also received a certificate, now has a great chance of competing in the International Hershey’s meet in Pennsylvania from Aug. 1-5.
It will be an all-expenses paid trip for her and family members or chaperones.
If the call comes, it will put an even greater gloss on her curriculum vitae.
“Going to Pennsylvania will be the opportunity of a lifetime,” she said.
“It would be a tremendous honour,” agreed Stephanie.
Anybody who knows about softball throwing will be aware that it requires good technique, both with the arm action and grip.
Shae has worked out her own routine over the years, which includes three steps before throwing.
Of course, God-given talent is also a must and the Grade 8 student has that in abundance.
Who knows, she may even have enough of it to realize every athlete’s dream: to compete in the Olympics.
Last year, she was glued to TV coverage of the London Olympics, fantasizing like so many youngsters about being on the international stage, testing her abilities against the world’s best.
What sport would she pick? Ah yes, that could be a little tricky.
“It could be anything,” she smiled. “Throwing the shot put, discus or playing volleyball, I don’t mind.
“I would just love to make the Olympics.”
