Chances of a lifetime don't come along very often. And when they do, they leave lasting memories.
When a call comes asking if you want to play for America's Team - Team USA - you have to at least give it a thought or two. And that's what two young women from Southwest Kansas did.
Alexia Sanchez, Ulysses, was one of those women.
Alexia was asked to play softball for America's Team representing the United States this past summer in the Dominican Republic.
"I am really committed when it comes to things that are important to me," Sanchez said on a sports Website. "I do very well in school and in the sports I play. Softball is one of the sports that I personally feel I am really good at."
A senior this year at Ulysses High School, Sanchez plans to become a pediatric nurse.
Sanchez's team traveled to Santo Domingo Dominican Republic July 17, where they placed fifth in the tournament.
"They were playing against women from the Dominican who were in their 20s and 30s," said Sanchez's mother, Vanessa.
According to Vanessa, coach for the team was Allyson Judkins.
"The tournament was called U-19 Women's Softball Cup Santo Domingo 2023," she said.
The other Southwest Kansas player to make the trip was Dallas Sherman of Meade. Sherman was the youngest player for the team she was selected to play on in basketball which traveled to Spain.
A junior this year at Meade High School, Sherman is taking college courses this year along with her high school schedule. She plays basketball, volleyball, and participates in throwing events for track.
While participating in the tournament, Sherman said they learned the rules on the court there are not the same. For instance, she pointed out, it is legal to deliberately shove another player out of bounds.
The basketball team for Team USA placed
Sherman and her mother, Samantha Benear, also learned a lot about the country while they were there. One interesting note was that adding condiments to food ordered could be considered an insult.
There were three USA teams which participated in the Spain tournament.
Other members of the Team USA basketball team Sherman played on which went to Spain included:
Coach Dean Jaderston
Coach Dean Jaderston will be in his fifth year as the head women's basketball coach at Friends University in Wichita, Kans. He and his wife, Julie (known fondly as Mama J) also are the executive directors of a summer Christian family conference called Northern Pines.
Lauren Welchel
Lauren Welchel, 18, will be attending Hastings College to play basketball. She will major in biology.
Lauren Torrance
Lauren Torrance, 18, will be attending cosmetology school and coaching high school volleyball.
Janae Granere
Janae Granere will be a senior at Marmaton Valley High School where she competes in volleyball, basketball, and track.
Cheyenne Sawyer
Cheyenne Sawyer will be a senior at Goessel Junior/Senior high school. She participates in cross country, basketball, and track. Sawyer plans to play basketball and run track in college in the future.
Piper McCann
Piper McCann, 18, will be attending Kansas State University to study Landscape Architecture.
Tara Wills
Tara Wills, 18, will be attending Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, to play basketball and major in kinesiology.
Trinity Lutters
Trinity Lutters, 18, will be attending Sterling College to play basketball and major in physical therapy.
Katie Weiss
Katie Weiss will be a senior at Sacred Heart in Salina. She will be playing tennis and basketball next year. She hopes to play basketball in college
Lily Angle
Lily Angler will be a senior at Halstead High School in Halstead, Kans.
Players for America’s Team are recommended by a coaching professional or a former athlete. Recommendations are based upon integrity, character and overall athletic ability, according to amteamsports.com.
Changing Lives Through Sports
According to their Website: At America’s Team, we believe in Changing Lives Through Sports. It’s not just a slogan. Each of us has been inspired to greater understanding- of ourselves, of the world, of other people- through sports. Then came the idea to use sports to learn about a foreign country, its people, and culture. What better way to learn about the world, than through sports. To help us accomplish our mission of experiencing a foreign land, America’s Team partnered with ACIS (American Council for International Studies). For over 30 years ACIS has striven to changing lives with the highest quality educational tours. America’s Team realizes their success and has chosen them to make your experience one that you will never forget.
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