Capital News Friday, May 25, 2012
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SPORTS
Scorched Sole all over Knox
Kelowna’s Penner is Oklahoma bound Warren Henderson STAFF REPORTER
The softball team’s longstanding record of success wasn’t the only reason Rachel Penner opted for an education at Oklahoma City University. Still, with eight NAIA national titles and a reputation as the best smallcollege program in the country, it made the decision that much easier for the 18-year-old pitcher from Kelowna. “It’s a great to be going to a winner, a program that’s so strong and really helps its players develop,” said Penner, a graduate of Kelowna Christian School. “I’m honoured they want me, and I’m excited to become part of their team.” Penner first began attracting the attention of U.S. colleges and universities when she attended a recruiting camp last October in Las Vegas. After pondering as rmany as 25 different scholarship opportunities, Penner narrowed her list down to three serious candidates, then made personal visits to each campus— OCU, Menlo College in California, and Oregon’s Northwest Christian. The Oklahoma school was a convincing winner in virtually every department. “It was basically the rwhole package I liked,” said Penner, who will be enrolled in the business program at OCU. “I’ve been guaranteed I’ll get to pitch, I like their small roster, their pitching coach, and the campus is really nice. “They have a good business program, too, so that was important,” she added. Penner was also imkpressed by OCU’s athletic training facilities, which includes a private gym specifically for the softball team. Penner has played the last 11 years in Kelowna’s minor softball system and been coached by her dad, Bernie, since Day 1. “It’s a great opportunity for Rachel,” said Bernie Penner, coach of this year’s U18A midget Heat, “and a really good fit for her.” Primarily a pitcher since her earliest days on the diamond, Penner has been a key figure in helping Kelowna Heat teams win three provincial gold medals over the years at the squirt, peewee and bantam levels. OCU coach Phil Mc-
Kevin Parnell STAFF REPORTER
DON WEIXL PHOTOGRAPHY
KELOWNA’S Rachel Penner will attend Oklahoma City University this fall on a softball scholarship. Spadden likes the Kelowna teenager’s potential and is excited to have her on board for the 2012-13 season. “I’ve been impressed with her work ethic, her desire to play and everything else that goes with anyone who is willing to travel such a great distance to play this game,” said McSpadden who has led the Stars to the NAIA playoffs for 21 straight seasons. “Sometimes girls in our back yard might be more game-ready than some of the Canadian girls, but that doesn’t mean they’ll turn out to be a better player when you look at a four-year career. It’s where Rachel’s at as a person and a player that we like, and where I think that can take her down the road.” Penner knows the step up from minor ball in B.C. to the collegiate level in the U.S. will be considerable. She’s been working with local velocity and sprint coach Brandt Fralick in an
effort to improve her lower core strength and explosiveness, key assets for every pitcher. Given time and experience, coach McSpadden believes Penner will mature into a valuable member of the Stars’ pitching staff. “We think she will turn into more of a pitcher than a thrower as time goes along,” said McSpadden. “I’m sure she has more tools than that, but we’re looking for an
up-baller type pitcher which we think she can be, and we’re hoping that will translate into an effective part of our staff.” As for moving thousands of kilometres from home and being truly on her own for the first time, Penner isn’t the least bit apprehensive. “I’m excited to start a new chapter of my life, being on my own, having that independence,” she said. “I might get a bit homesick, but there’s al-
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ways Skype. I know I’ll be calling home a lot. “There’s another Canadian on the team, too, so that should help as well.” Penner will move to Oklahoma City in August. Meanwhile, the OCU Stars fell just short of their ninth NAIA Div. 1 title this week, losing the national final to Shorter College from Georgia.
For the first time in its seven year history, Kelowna’s Scorched Sole Ultra race will be held at Knox Mountain Park. The event—which features 25, 50 or 80 kilometre trail runs as well as a kids’ race—will utilize almost every part of Knox mountain, including both lookouts, Kathleen Lake and Paul’s Tomb trail when it takes place June 23. Race director Dan Crockett says having the race come into Kelowna and use the popular Knox Mountain trails is going to give the event a unique feel. “The mandate of our race is to have a different course every year,” he said. “This is the seventh year and this is our seventh different course. I think (Knox Mountain) is a great place to have the race. It’s right in town, there are some great views. It has a real combination of everything.” Beginning at the base of Knox Mountain, this year’s course will wind its way up to the top of Knox and down the back towards Paul’s Tomb and include a trip around Kathleen Lake before coming back down to the finish line. Depending on the race length, competitors will do up to five loops of the challenging course. “It’s different than our other courses,” said Crockett. “It’s real scenic. There is 600 metres of elevation in every loop so it’s going to be a challenge. The fun part is there is going to be a lot more spectators than we normally have.” In past year’s the Scorched Sole has been
held out of town, using places like Okanagan Mountain Park or Myra Bellevue, among other locations. Crockett says bringing the race inside the Kelowna city limits may attract more locals to the event. “Most of our runners are typically from out of town,” he said. “I’m expecting our numbers might be down a bit because there is so much going on. Most real hard core ultra runners want to be out in the wilderness so we’re hoping to generate more Kelowna runners.” As in past years all the proceeds from the Scorched Sole will go to a variety of Kelownabased charities including Kelowna Mental Health, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, YMCA Strong Kids and the Kelowna Community Resources Centre. A typical year will see the volunteer-run event raising between $3,000 and $5,000 for charity. There are a few other unique pieces to the Scorched Sole as the event offers free registration to any other race director that wants to participate and also doesn’t penalize those that don’t complete the race with a Did Not Finish (DNF) declaration. “If you are out there, whatever you do you get credit for time and distance,” said Crockett. “We feel like making it to the starting line and being out there gives you the right to brag about it. I hate to see DNF’s. If you are out there making an attempt we think you should get credit for it.” For more information on the Scorched Sole and to register go to www. scorchedsole.com. kparnell@kelownacapnews.com
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