Nicole Luchanski

Biography

Nicole Luchanski has wanted to play for Canada since attending the first-ever IBAF Women’s World Cup in her hometown when she was 14. Two years later she was selected to join the women’s national team in her first year of eligibility at age 16. Luchanski has won three medals in five World Cup appearances, highlighted by a silver medal in 2008. At the 2012 World Cup she was the only player in the tournament to hit a homerun and was named to the all-star team at second base as Canada won the bronze medal. As a member of Team Alberta, Luchanski plays in the Alberta Midget AA Boys’ League for practice before competing in the Senior Women’s Invitational National Championship at the end of the season. In 2014 she was part of Alberta’s first-ever gold medal-winning team at the nationals.

PERSONAL

Family: Parents Michael and Susan Luchanski… Older brother Brett… Getting into the Sport: Started playing t-ball at age 4… At age 9 her parents asked if she wanted to play softball or baseball… She went against the cultural norm for girls, drawn to baseball because of the pitching, learning lead offs, stealing bases, the way the ball fit in her small hand, the uniforms and the culture… Outside Interests: Graduated from the University of Alberta in 2013 (Bachelor of Science in Forestry)… Used to work as a forester/ assistant logging engineer… Enjoys camping, country music and being with the family dog, Mojo ‘The Moj’ Luchanski… Volunteer instructor at the Baseball Alberta Girls Winter Camp… Odds and Ends: Favourite quote: “Success isn’t owned, it’s leased. And rent is due every day” – JJ Watt… Role model is Jose Altuve who was told to go home from a scouting camp because he was too small to ever play in the Majors; knowing there would be different scouts on the second day he snuck in, was given a contract and is now a two-time All-Star and AL batting champion… Never steps on or messes up the chalk lines on purpose, never throws her glove (always places it on the ground), never checks her phone once on the way to the park… Gets a photo taken with the ‘Canada’ sign at every World Cup opening ceremony with teammate Amanda Asay… Nickname: Luch

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

IBAF WCup: 2014 – 4^th; 2012 – BRONZE; 2010 – 5^th; 2008 – SILVER; 2006 – BRONZE