Svekis named to the US team

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. Oregon alum Gwen Svekis has been selected as an alternate member of the 2022 USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT), as the organization announced Friday after the WNT selection tests that ended Thursday at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Flaag.

The USA WNT will compete in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Ala., In July to determine the World Cup champion of the 2022 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

“We are so excited that Gwen will continue the legacy of the University of Oregon players who compete at the highest level of our sport in Team USA, such as Janie Reed, Nikki Ragin and many more, “said the Oregon coach Melyssa Lombardi. “Gwen represents the rising generation of young players who will be part of Team USA for many years to come.”

Svekis is the eighth Duck to have earned a spot on the U.S. team since 2013.

“The experiments were so much fun and full of talent, especially the young talents,” Svekis said. “I’m excited to be part of such a talented team. I can’t wait to get any information I can add to my game, nor do I expect to be able to share my knowledge with younger athletes.

“Coach (Heather) Tarr was so empowering in the trials, and I’m excited to see the national team thrive under his leadership.”

Eighteen players were selected for the national team. Svekis was one of three elected deputies. If invited, it would be Svekis ’second appearance on Team USA. In Oregon, she was selected to the 2016 elite women’s team that participated in the Softball World Cup.

The former Duck Separator and the 2018 NFCA National Catcher of the Year completed their second season at Athletes Unlimited last September. He beat .386 in four home runs and nine RBIs and finished in 10th place.^th in total personal investment. In its first AU season in 2020, Svekis collected 11 RBIs, three home runs and reached 0.268 in fifth place.

Svekis made his professional debut in 2018 with the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. In 2019, he was in the All-NPF selection and was among the top five in the home runs of the season.

In addition to winning the Ducks National Catcher of the Year award, Svekis was an NFCA All-American in 2018. Even so, in the 2018 season, he won 57 hits, 17 home runs, 60 RBIs and 42 runs.

Svekis was the number one team all-Pac-12 choice in 2018, the third team selection in 2017 and an honorable mention recipient in 2015. He was also the 2015 Pac-12 freshman choice.

Davie, Fla., Earned NFCA-wide first team recognition in 2018, third team recognition in 2017 and was second team selection in 2016.

The winner of the 2018 Pac-12 Tom Hansen Award played on three Oregon Pac-12 championship teams in 2015, 2016 and 2018. She was also a participant in the Women’s College World Series at Ducks in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

After graduating from Oregon, the Chicago Bandits chose Svekis as their third overall pick in the 2018 NPF draft.

Last month, Svekis signed a two-year deal with Athletes Unlimited and will also be playing in the AUX Softball season starting on June 13th.

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