There are times in this career when a reporter can be fortunate enough to interview their heroes and idols.
In my 30-plus years there have been a few, an interview with Bobby and Dennis Hull where I asked three questions and filled a page as the brothers went off on delightful tangents about their fabled careers, Mr. Dressup, George Reed, Terry Puhl, Mark Matthews and of course the day I returned home to a message on the machine from Dick Irvine that he had returned my call regarding an interview, (I regret not having saved that tape).
And now I can add an interview with Sara Groenewegen to the list.
Perhaps not as well-known as those listed above, Groenewegen is a rather inspiring athlete in a sport I happen to really enjoy, perhaps because some four decades ago I played the game – that game being softball, although in my day we called it fastball.
Groenewegen is a member of the Canadian national team which has qualified for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo, provided that event is not postponed or cancelled die to COVID-19.
The team qualified in September 2019, defeating Brazil 7-0 in Surrey, B.C.
“Obviously it was more than a year ago but it was a pretty emotional time,” said Groenewegen in a recent telephone chat. She added given her own challenges to continue to play the game it was extra special as she doesn’t take anything for granted anymore.
It is Groenewegen’s personal journey that makes her such a great model as an athlete.
To start, she is a diabetic, and that is in itself a challenge for an athlete, but one a number have met and ended up excelling in sport.
Then Groenewegentore her MCL (left knee) right before her senior year, which again is a hurdle many athletes have faced.
But, there was one more huge challenge ahead.
“In the summer of 2018, out of nowhere, Groenewegen had flu-like symptoms (it would be diagnosed as Legionnaires disease), and went to the hospital. She woke up two weeks later thinking she had a plane to catch to the World Championships, yet the team was in the middle of fighting for an Olympic berth without her,” details her website.
“Groenewegen was only given a three per cent chance to live after being placed in a medically induced coma as her body could not oxygenate blood. Her lungs were too infected.”
But when it came time to qualify for the Olympic berth, one of only six spots, Groenewegen was back pitching for the team.
Today, Groenewegen and the rest of the Canadian team are in Illinois getting in some games ahead of the Olympics, their fingers crossed the Games will move forward.
The uncertainty is a challenge, but Groenewegen said that has become the norm in softball that has not been in part of the Olympics since 20087, and while scheduled for the Tokyo Games, but won’t be in Paris for 2024, but may return in 2028 in Los Angeles.
Of course COVID-19 adds to the uncertainty and the Tokyo Games seem on one day, and off the next, if you follow the rumours on social media.
While admitting it’s impossible to shut out social media, Groenewegen said as an athlete you have to focus on getting ready to play, and letting the rest of it unfold as it will since it’s beyond your ability to control.
In that regard she said Team Canada has become “super adaptable” and they are just forging on.
“You do what you can do and just try not to let it affect you,” she said.
Getting games in over the coming weeks is the best way to stay focused, and Groenewegen added those games are huge considering the team has been idle since qualifying in 2019, with 2020 play lost to COVID-19.
“It’s super important to get these games in,” she said, adding “... In order to be the best I think you have to play the best and prepare the best.”
Not every team has the opportunity heading to Tokyo which could be an edge for team Canada.
“We’ll probably be the most-prepared team out there,” added Groenewegen.
