The U12 Comets are finding success leading up to a tournament in Stettler this weekend, as they won 12-6 against one of the host teams at Newcastle diamonds on Wednesday night.

The Comets were carried by a strong pitching performance and some good defensive plays, thanks to pop up drills in practice, said coach Kelsey Calon. 

“This season we’ve seen them catch three balls in the outfield, including one last night, which is way more than they’ve done before. It’s one of the tougher skills – you have to track it and catch it and remember to squeeze it. On the weekend there were a couple hits that were caught and it’s truly an exciting thing.”

The Comets will travel to a tourney in Stettler this weekend, along with most other girls softball teams in Drumheller. The Comets won the same tournament last year.

“Your expectations are higher but you have to temper them because it’s not the same team as last year… We have some first year players that haven’t played, but they’re catching on really well – you can’t tell it’s their first time playing,” said Calon.

She says the Drumheller teams struggle to hit their stride because so few other teams in the greater area are willing to make the time commitment to travel here. There are only six teams in their league – two from Stettler, Delburne, Trochu, and two from Drumheller. They often play only one game a week.

“We don’t play as many games and get as much experience as we’d like. I think that’s sort of key in developing a hitting rhythm, but hopefully we can get there.”

The Strathmore Spartans girls rugby team, who hold four DVSS students on their roster, made their way to Provincials for the first time.

Three schools make up this team, including Drumheller Valley Secondary School, Holy Cross Collegiate of Strathmore and Strathmore High School.

“This is so exciting because all three schools that are on the team have never made it to provincials before,” says coach Ryan Hatch.

The girls rugby team competed in the South Central Senior High Tier 2 Zones and snatched their place in the running for provincials on Wednesday, May 25, against the Foothills Composite High School Falcons. They won 49-27

“The girls played really hard. They were up from the beginning and never looked back,” says Hatch.

The team will continue on this week practicing in Strathmore to prepare for Provincials on Friday, June 3, in Lethbridge.

“It is really exciting because it is the first time Strathmore and Drumheller have won a banner and medals for girls rugby. Everyone on the team is getting along really well. We are more excited for Provincials, but there are a bit of nerves,” says Emily Patterson of the Strathmore Spartans girls rugby team.