Kaizen Alumni
Kaizen has a history of our top players moving on to play at the post-secondary level in both Canada and the USA. Here are a few of our athletes who have achieved this goal.
Morgan RackelTeam: Kaizen '97
Morgan won 8 provincial medals (6 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) and 2 Canadian National Medals. She joined Kaizen in 2008 and was recognized as an MVP, Top Pitcher, and 2 time All Star at Nationals. In 2013 she was selected as Softball Alberta and CWFA Minor Player of the Year.
She played two years JUCO DiV 1 in Weatherford College in Texas and was named NTJCAA conference pitcher of the year, two time NTJCAA conference all star in 2016 and 2017, and was selected to NJCAA second team all American.
In 2015 she was selected to Team Alberta for the Western Canada Summer Games in 2015 and for the Canada Summer Games in 2017.
She is now playing Div 1 NCAA for Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. |  |
Briar BalasTeams: Kaizen '97, '98
"I wanted to continue my softball career through out my post secondary education which lead me to researching and reaching out to many Canadian and US schools. Ultimately, Western was the school for me as I am able to continue playing softball while I pursue a Bachelors of Science degree with a specialization in Biology.
I am currently in my second year of post secondary and have played 2 years for the Western Mustangs and plan to play throughout my degree." |  |
Casey-May HuffTeams: Kaizen '95
“I was scouted at a tournament in St. Louis the fall of my grade 12 year. I went to a JUCO called Iowa Central Community College and then I was recuited after my two years there for Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.
I am done my four years of eligibility. I am now a graduate assistant softball coach for ACU. This is a two year position while I get my masters.”
Casey-May continues her softball career in Calgary when she returns home for the summer where she plays for Duke’s Pumetae and the Calahoo Senior Erins. |  |
Karen SondergaardTeams: Kaizen '97
“I was recruited in my freshman year to play at Rainy River Community College in northern Minnesota. After my freshman year, I decide to move back to Calgary to focus on my education. I have since been a member of the U of C Dinos and I still am today.” |  |
 | Jillian LafranceTeams: Junior Kaizen
Jillian was a member of the original Kaizen team which won a National Championship in 2006. Her accomplishments include:
2001- Peewee provincial 1st (Calgary Illusion) 2002- Peewee Provincial & Western 1st (Calgary Illusion) 2003- Bantam Provincials 1st, Top pitcher at Nationals (Calgary Illusion), Member of Team Alberta for Western Canada Summer games 3rd place finish 2004- Midget provincials 1st place (Calgary Illusion) 2005- Finished 2nd at Canada Cup (Calgary Illusion), Member of Team Alberta for the Canadian Summer Games 3rd place finish 2006- Junior Provincial 1st, Nationals 1st, Top Pitcher at Nationals (Calgary Kaizen), Attended Charleston Southern University, Member of the Canadian National Junior Team, 3rd place finish in Puerto Rico at the Pan American games with the Junior National Team 2007- Junior Provincials 1st (Calgary Kaizen), Attended the World Championships in the Netherlands with the Canadian Junior National team, Transferred to the University of West Florida, Alberta Adult fast pitch player of the year, Gulf South Conference All-star team 2009- Senior Provincials 1st, 1st at Western Canadians, Top pitcher at Western Canadians (Calgary Rocky Mountain Thunder) , Gulf South Conference all-Tournament team. 2010- Senior Provincials 1st (Calgary Rocky Mountain Thunder) 2014- Inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (Kaizen National Gold Medal) 2015- Senior A provincial 1st, 3rd at Nationals, All-star first basemen at Nationals (Calahoo Erins) 2016- Senior A provincials 1st (Calahoo Erins) |
