The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s fastpitch team would like congratulate and recognize five graduating players who have played their final game for the Blues this season:

Heather Roth – Pharmacy
Heather has the honour of being one of only two longest playing OIWFA players. She has represented the Blues in every playoff weekend since the league started in 2002. During her time she has won a bronze medal (2002), a silver medal (2006) and a gold medal (2005). She has played either short stop or first base and proved to be good low order hitter.

Karlene Headley-Cooper – Exercise Science
Karlene is the other player who has played in every OIWFA championship since 2002. Like Roth, she has won a bronze medal (2002), a silver medal (2006) and a gold medal (2005). During this time, she has been one of the most feared batters in the league and caught just about everything that has gone near her in centre field. The experiences she has gained playing for Great Britain in the 2006 World Cup in Beijing, where she hit a solo home run to help GB to a 1-0 win over Korea, and helped GB to reach #10 in the world, have helped Headley-Cooper become a strong leader for the Blues both on and off the field. Every team in the league will be very glad to know they will not have to pitch to her again.

Mel Monson – OISE/UT
Mel returned to the Blues team this season after missing a year. She has both a gold and silver OIWFA medal from previous years. However, it was this season when Mel was given the chance to show her real talents. As one of two starting pitchers, she has shared the duties each week with Charlsie Searle. Her biggest win came against defending champions Laurier Golden Hawks. She has also been one of the most consistent batters in the Blues line up in the clean-up spot. In recognition of her outstanding play, Mel was named a 2008 OIWFA all-star.

Charlsie Searle – Engineering
Charlsie joined the team in 2004, but played with NCAA Division 1 school, Delaware State, in 2005 before returning to the Blues in 2006, helping the team win an OIWFA silver medal. She has always been one of the Blues starting pitchers and makes great contributions lower down the order. She has been team captain for the past two years and a member of Varsity Board during that time. Her contribution to the team both on and off the field has been recognised by two consecutive OIWFA all-star awards (2007 and 2008).

Megan Barkway – Pharmacy
Megan has been a member of the Varsity Blues for three years at either third base or catching, where she is equally at home. In her first season, she was part of the silver-medal winning team, but really came into her own, taking over the catching duties in the 2007 OIWFA playoffs. However this season, as a permanent starter at third base Meghan has been the infield leader on the team. Her enthusiasm, effort and team spirit will be sorely missed.