Karlee Kohlman's rise with a lacrosse stick over the last two and a half years has been nothing short of incredible.
The McCreary product decided to give lacrosse a try a couple of years ago with some of her friends in Neepawa. She had high hopes, but not even she could have imagined how quickly she would improve and become a star.
She fell in love with the game, and the rest is history. Her journey is remarkable, and it's all thanks to her hard work, dedication, and passion.
Late last year, Kohlman was in Winnipeg trying out for Team Manitoba. The team would represent the province at the Canada Summer Games. Karlee is 15 and was looking to make a U17 team. It's a daunting task for many. Karlee was nervous, but was there for a reason.
She trusted herself, and when the final roster was announced, Karlee was Newfoundland and Labrador-bound. She was officially on the U17 Team Manitoba women's lacrosse team. In less than three years, Kohlman went from playing the sport for the first time to making a provincial team. It's an incredible rise and a great achievement for the star from McCreary.
"It felt really good. I was super excited to have made the team," said Kohlman. "I was so happy. I was grateful to have made it."
The roster was set, the charter flight booked, and it was time to get down to business. Karlee and her teammates competed in Phase One of the Games and participated in the Opening Ceremonies. Kohlman was living her dream.
"It was amazing. I loved being there, seeing Newfoundland," offered Kohlman. "The atmosphere when we were playing it was incredible."
Karlee and her teammates opened the competition with a 3-1 win against New Brunswick. In an 18-2 win against Newfoundland in their next game, Kohlman was a leader. The team played to a 3-3 tie against Saskatchewan in their next match before hammering Prince Edward Island, 12-0. They finished with seven round-robin points and a first-place tie with Saskatchewan. The playoffs arrived, and a very strong Alberta team got the best of Manitoba, 8-1.
The defeat was the team's first of the competition, and it sent them to the consolation bracket. That's where Karlee and her teammates caught fire. They beat Saskatchewan, 3-2, to earn the right to play for fifth place. In the fifth-place match, Manitoba downed Quebec, 3-1. Five wins, one tie, only one loss, and a fifth-place finish.
"I think our team did great, we played the best that we could," commented Kohlman. "We ran into that very good Alberta team. Then we responded and won two straight games. It was a great performance for our group. Very proud to have been with this team."
In the team's big win against Newfoundland, Karlee posted two primary assists. She had another assist in the team's 3-1 win against Quebec. Three assists, five wins, and an experience that she will never forget.
"I think I played pretty well," said Kohlman. "I could have gotten a few more shots on the net. The assists were great because I could celebrate the goals with my friends. It was great."
Kohlman also wanted to give a big shoutout to her family and friends. Those who travelled to watch the action live and those cheering from home.
"It means a lot. I come from a very small town," ended Kohlman. "So to be able to go to one of the biggest sporting events was super good. It feels amazing, and I want to thank everyone for the support."
Taylor Fletcher is at the Seymour Golf & Country Club for the Canadian mid-amateur golf championships. Karlee Kohlman just returned from the Canada Summer Games. Two elite athletes from McCreary are turning heads and creating unforgettable memories.
