Creston, IA—Southwestern Community College gained two quick bats from one family when Spartan Head Softball Coach Nick Weinmeister signed his two latest recruits—Madeleine and Paige Shwaluk of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.
The Shwaluk twins, who will graduate from Portage Collegiate Institute in June 2019, come to Southwestern with multiple athletic and academic accolades.
Madeleine, an outfielder, was a provincial finalist and offensive player of the year in 2017-18; a provincial champion in 2016-17 and 2015-16; and the rookie of the year in 2015-16 for softball. In hockey, she received a sportsmanship award, most assists award, and coaches award in 2017-18; the hardest working player award and coaches award in 2016-17; and was named playoff MVP in 2015-16.
Academically, Madeleine has been on the honor roll from 2015-18, earned the second highest overall average for her class in 2016-17, and received the highest overall average for her class in 2017-18.
Weinmeister said Madeleine is a versatile athlete who will most likely make an immediate impact in the outfield, as well as bolster the Spartans offensive lineup.
"Maddie is not large in stature, but she does possess serious pop in her bat," Weinmeister stated. "She can play all three outfield spots and will serve our program well in any of the three during her time at SWCC."
Paige, an infielder, was her team's defensive player of the year in 2017-18; a provincial champion in 2016-17 and 2015-16; and a rookie of the year in 2015-16 for softball. In hockey, she scored the most points and the most goals for her team in 2017-18; was the top defensive forward in 2017-18, and was a rookie of the year in 2015-16. Academically, she has been on the honor roll since 2015.
Weinmeister said just as Madeleine will see success in the outfield, Paige will be an immediate impact infielder for the Spartan program.
"Paige has game-changing speed to complement her defensive abilities," Weinmeister said. "She is a versatile two-sport student-athlete in Manitoba, which should serve her well as she focuses her time primarily on softball at SWCC."
Weinmeister is confident the Shwaluk sisters will do big things for the Spartan softball program and will leave their mark on the program and the institution.
Madeleine and Paige are the daughters of Trevor and Maureen Shwaluk of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada