The Kelowna U18A Heat’s Morgan Cederholm has been accepted to Graceland University’s softball program in Lamoni, Iowa on an athletic/academic scholarship.
The infielder will be heading to Lamoni in August. Her parents, Jeff and Kourtney Primeau, of Sicamous are very proud of her accomplishments.
“Morgan has worked very hard to become a good softball player,” says Jeff. “We’re thrilled her efforts have allowed her to pursue her dream to go to school and play ball.”
Six years ago, a fateful trip to Capital News Centre in Kelowna for a hitting camp would introduce Cederholm to her coach for the next six years, Bernie Penner.
“Morgan is a very dedicated athlete choosing to play ball at the highest level which requires driving to Kelowna often three times a week,” says Penner. “She has always been a team leader and key member of many tournaments and championships won by the Heat.”
Penner says one of Cederholm’s strengths is her competitiveness and desire to win at all costs.
“Her ability to channel that competitiveness is key and has shown many times when we need a run in a big game,” says Penner.
Cederholm, and her parents, give Penner most of the credit for her success.
“Bernie provides his players with the opportunity to play in the Okanagan at the highest level and with the most exposure,” explains Jeff. “Add that to the fact he is a very knowledgeable coach and Morgan just loves playing for him; we were very lucky we found Bernie.”
Cederholm’s new team will be the Graceland Yellow Jackets, who play in the Heart of America Athletic Conference of the NAIA. She will be working towards a degree in business or psychology over the next four years.