OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College is known for its strong fastball
program, having won an OCAA-high 16 provincial championships. After
this summer, it's also better known on the world stage.
Durham Lords pitcher Lydia Kalbfleisch and
assistant coach Rosemary Theriault both won silver
medals with Team Canada in softball at the 19th Maccabiah
Games.
The Maccabiah Games are held in Israel every four years and
features the best Jewish and Israeli athletes in the world. Sports
featured at the games include baseball, softball, basketball,
futsal, volleyball, handball, ice and field hockey, water polo,
rugby, cricket, netball and soccer.
Team Canada did well at the tournament, beating out Team Israel to
make it to the gold medal game against Team USA. They would
eventually lose 4-0 in the finals, but would still bring home the
silver medal for their efforts.
Kalbfleisch and Theriault both described their feelings of
attending the games and winning the silver as nothing they have
experienced before in their careers.
"It was one of the most exciting experiences I've ever
encountered," said Kalbfleisch. "I felt so honoured to be
representing Canada at these world class games."
"One of the most important things that I realized is how beautiful
and historical Israel is," said Theriault. "We were able to tour
and visit historical sites that we had only previously read about.
The people in Israel welcomed us with open arms and we had a
fantastic time."
On top of winning the silver medal at the games, Kalbfleisch was
also a part of the Durham Lords team that won silver medals at
nationals and provincials this past season.
"I feel like I am so lucky to be a part of both of these teams and
receive silver medals with both teams," she said. "I feel like both
the finals at nationals and at the Maccabiah Games were well played
games and we had to play against tough teams."
Obviously being on a world stage like the Maccabiah Games can be a
nervous experience for any athlete, but Kalbfleisch was able to not
only keep her composure, but also maintain a high level of compete
and fight to the finish.
"I generally felt very calm during the games," Kalbfleisch said.
"There were times that I may have gotten a little worried with our
defensive play but we never gave up and kept fighting even if we
were falling behind."
Even though the team didn't win the gold medal, Kalbfleisch
defining moment came in the final game when she was inserted to
pitch cold with the bases loaded and the starting pitcher
injured.
"I ended up getting out of the inning with minimal damage," she
said. "I think that I kind of surprised everybody that I did so
well that inning considering I didn't get a proper warm up."
When the opportunity arose, Kalbfleisch made Durham College and
the Lords proud on the world stage. Now she'll return to Canada and
the college for another season of OCAA fastball, this time with
more confidence and experience.
"I think I'll come back to Durham playing with a little more
experience and a little more relaxed," she said. "I think I will
come back with a little more confidence and focus to excel in our
season this fall."
Trying to compare coaching at Durham College and at the games was
a tough task for Theriault, seeing that her passion for the game is
like none other.
"To compare the Games and Durham College is two very different
venues," she said. "Coaching at Durham College is my home base and
the people involved with fastball, from the athletic department to
all the players, are very much like a family and very strong
friendships have been developed thru my years there. With team
Canada, we had a short time to prepare for the games and it was
fantastic to watch these talented athletes come together and win a
silver medal. Great memories were made playing this sport and I am
thankful to have had the opportunity to participate at both."
Theriault and Kalbfleisch will be able to make more memories when
the Lords training camp opens up on Aug. 26, as they search for
their 17th OCAA title.
Source: Durham College