Two-Time Olympian Sheena Lawrick Retires
After representing Canada for eight years at the international level, first baseman Sheena Lawrick (Calgary) has decided to retire from the women’s national team program to pursue full-time employment.
Over her softball career, Lawrick earned the opportunity to represent Canada at two Olympic Summer Games, including a fifth place finish in 2004 (Athens) and a fourth place finish in 2008 (Beijing). Since joining the team in 2003, she also helped Canada to a pair of Silver medals at the Pan American Games (2003 and 2007), and most recently led the team to a Bronze medal at the 2010 ISF XII Women’s World Championship, the women’s national team program’s first-ever medal at the event. Lawrick also helped Canada to a fifth place finish at the 2006 ISF World Championship.
“I feel so proud to have had the opportunity to represent my country for the past eight years,” stated Lawrick. “It truly is an honour to be able to play the sport you love for the country you love. I have so many great memories of teammates, coaches, world travels, and competition. I would like to thank Softball Canada for giving me the opportunity to pursue and achieve my individual and team goals.
“I would also like to thank my teammates for the amazing times we shared together. Finally, I would like to thank my family for their unbelievable support since I first picked up a softball, glove and bat. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and know that my experience with the national team will continue to help me in the future. Softball Canada is in great hands with Coach (Mark) Smith and I am confident they will have continued success in International competition.”
Lawrick will always be recognized for her strong leadership qualities, her calm demeanour and her ability to come up with clutch hits. At the 2010 ISF World Championship in Venezuela, she led the tournament with 11 hits and finished second with a .611 batting average.
“Sheena Lawrick was one of our emotional leaders and a positive role model on and off the field,” said Mark Smith, head coach of the senior women’s national team. “In 2010, Sheena had a tremendous season and played an instrumental role in our podium finish at the ISF World Championships in Caracas, Venezuela. It’s tough to replace those intangible qualities a two-time Olympian has to offer, however Sheena has career opportunities in her life that require her full attention. We wish her every success in future.”
