Kiana Mullner. (Submitted photo/Cheryl Mullner)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Mullner off to CWS

P.A.’s Mullner named to 2022 Canada Summer Games roster

Jun 19, 2022 | 11:27 AM

After a three-year tryout and evaluation process, Prince Albert’s Kiana Mullner finally learned she will be heading to the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara, Ont. Aug. 6-21.

The process was supposed to be only two years, but since the tournament was delayed a year due to the pandemic, an extra year was tacked on. That didn’t matter much to Mullner, who finally got the good news earlier this month.

“When I first found out, it was overwhelming and I was super excited and blessed to represent Saskatchewan, especially to play with my friends that I’ve been playing ball with for a long time.”

Mullner will be reunited with her best friend Jorde Chartrand from Weyburn, as both will share a field for the first time in three years. Mullner will also be playing again with fellow Prince Albert Aces alumni Erin Kirkland of Tisdale and Olivia Woytiuk of Shell Lake.

Even though the winter is usually the offseason for softball players in Canada, Mullner figured out a way to play throughout the whole year. She went down to Hickory, N.C. to play with the Catawba Valley Community College Red Hawks. In her freshman season, Mullner put up impressive numbers with a .338 batting average, .395 on-base percentage, 13 RBI’s, 17 runs scored and one home run. Mullner was also able to put the ball in play, as she only struck out five times in 86 plate appearances.

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“It’s actually been absolutely amazing, I’ve been so many great friends through being on the team. All the people down there are wonderful, playing in their program down there is truly amazing. I get to play the sport I love all year round.”

As she was the only Canadian on the team and one of just three players not from North Carolina, Mullner didn’t really know anybody. Not only that, but to balance a super busy schedule while balancing school was difficult, but Mullner said her roommate and teammate Jillian Jones and her family helped make the adjustment a good one.

“There were some weeks where we would be playing six games in a week, while you still have to stay on top of your school work and live a healthy life,” Mullner said.

Earlier in the year, Prince Albert’s Ryan Bicknell and Troy Preymack were selected by Team Saskatchewan’s Men’s Softball Team to represent the province at the Summer Games.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW