McCreary’s Kohlman reflects on Games experience

If Karlee Kohlman was told two and a half years ago she would be competing in this year’s Canada Summer Games for lacrosse — a sport she had never played before — she wouldn’t have believed a word of it. And as it turns out, her response is just as skeptical today.

“I still really can’t believe I was there,” Kohlman said on Monday. “I feel like it will kick in soon, but I’m still kind of shocked right now.”

The 15-year-old athlete from McCreary, a small community located 136 kilometres north of Brandon with a population of around 700, is coming off a very successful trip in St. John’s, N.L., after she helped Manitoba’s female lacrosse squad secure a fifth-place finish at the Games last week.

In seven games, Kohlman racked up three assists for Team Toba, including a wonderful setup on captain Jaden Loeppky’s opening goal of the game against Quebec, which decided who ranked fifth and sixth in the country.

“It was a pretty cool moment,” said Kohlman. “I had to really fight for a loose ball, and then I made a nice pass over, and then she went and scored. It was obviously a big game as well.”

After coming out of its round-robin games unscathed, with three wins against New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island and a heartbreaking tie against Saskatchewan, where the neighbouring province tied it up at threes with just seconds to spare on the clock, Manitoba advanced to a quarterfinal meeting with Alberta.

Manitoba allowed two goals in the first frame and let the game slip through its fingers after Alberta came away with four more in the second period, ultimately winning by an overwhelming 8-1 margin.

Kohlman said the step up in play between Alberta and the first four teams they played was significant, adding that its efficient ball movement, transition play, and communication were some important lessons they could learn from.

And that’s exactly what Manitoba did.

Kohlman’s team bounced back with a massive 3-2 win against Saskatchewan and a battle for fifth place against Quebec. Kohlman said she was nervous heading into the game because her opponent was coming from Pool A, whereas her team was competing one level lower in the Pool B.

“It was pretty nerve-racking, but I just focused on my breathing and positive self-talk,” she said. “My teammates were all so positive, and the older girls were definitely very helpful for the nerves, staying positive all the time and saying, ‘We can do this.’”

The Manitobans may have entered the contest as “underdogs,” but they left as winners, defeating Quebec 3-1 and reaching that top-five mark. Kohlman said the end of the tournament marked some mixed emotions for the team.

“We played to the best of our abilities, we were very happy, but some girls on our team were also crying because we aren’t going to play with this team again, so it was pretty sad that we wouldn’t get to play together again,” said Kohlman.

She said one of the team’s biggest strengths was how close they were off the floor, adding she feels that played a big part in their success at the Games.

“It feels like I’m playing with 17 of my best friends when I’m out there,” Kohlman added. “It’s just great just to play with all of them, every game just felt like another opportunity just to have fun. It was just great.”

While the Games may have marked the end of one chapter in Kohlman’s lacrosse story, she is still just getting started. Next year, she will prepare for another ride at the Prairie Cup and also compete in some national tournaments for Team Manitoba as well.

“I’m excited to play next year. I’ve just been thinking about it because I love playing the game so much,” said Kohlman. “I’m just excited to get back on the floor and play with my teammates. It’ll just be so much fun, and I’m so excited.”

She said her main team next season should be the U17 Neepawa Noise, unless the club doesn’t have enough players, which could happen given the number of players in the program. Kohlman, if that’s the case, she would enjoy coaching the younger athletes in the area.

“I just want to help some kids learn to get better and be the best they can,” she said. I would just love it, and I know it would be so much fun.”

Kohlman said being from such a small town, one of her goals is to help grow lacrosse in more remote areas, where some people may not even know what the sport has to offer.

“I need to focus on growing the sport in general, trying to get more girls involved, and just trying to grow the sport,” she said.

“I think just spreading the word to anyone I possibly can and saying, like, ‘You should try lacrosse,’ could go a long way.”

Kohlman first learned of the sport when Neepawa — a 45-minute drive from home — began a lacrosse program a couple or years ago. She said she and her friends thought it’d be a great idea to try it out, so they purchased some cheap equipment and gave it a shot. As they say, the rest is history.

“I just fell in love with it right away,” said Kohlman. “I just love everything about it, so I’ll do anything for it.”

» mdelucataronno@brandonsun.com