Detroit's Rafter named to Canadian Olympic Softball Pool

Dec. 19, 2006

Defending Horizon League Player of the Year Kaleigh Rafter has been selected by Softball Canada to the nation's Senior Women's National Team athlete pool. Rafter (Guelph, Ontario/St. James Catholic) is one of 40 players in consideration for selection to one of Canada's National Teams, including the squad that will play in the 2008 Olympics in China.

Rafter led Detroit in batting average (.359), doubles (12), runs batted in (35) and home runs (12) during the 2006 season. Her 12 home runs set a new single-season school record and moved her into third place all-time in the Titan record book. For her efforts, Rafter was named First Team All-League and was tabbed as the Conference Player of the Year, in addition to being named to the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region team. She is also a four-time selection to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and was honored as an Academic All-League selection following last season.

"The 2007 Canadian Senior Women's athlete pool has been identified," stated Lori Sippel, head coach of the National Team Program. "It has been my intention to identify those athletes that have shown an ability to play at the elite international level or may be capable of doing so in the near future. A true player pool consists of athletes who set the bar high, who challenge for position and who offer depth at positions. With 20 months standing between now and the Olympic Games, I am confident in the pool of athletes Canada has to select from."

"This is a huge accomplishment for Kaleigh and our program," said Detroit head coach Bob Wilkerson. "For one of our student-athletes to be selected to this list is an honor for both Kaleigh and the University. She has worked extremely hard for the awards she has gotten and put herself into the position she is in now."

Rafter is among a group of 20 athletes headed to the campus of UNLV from January 2-7 for evaluations by the Canadian coaching staff.

The Titans kick off the 2007 campaign at the Rebel Spring Games in Orlando, FL starting on March 4.

Story provided by the Detroit Sports Information Office.