An Estevan athlete is ready to write the next chapter of her playing career, and she already has a plan for a sequel.

Morgan Walter has committed to play NJCAA Division I softball with McCook Community College in Nebraska.

Walter played her freshman year with U Mary in NCAA Division II before taking last year off because of the pandemic.

The utility player, who patrols centrefield and the middle infield, hopes to continue into NCAA Division I after her two years of junior college before getting into coaching.

"After taking a year off, I wanted to go back and play ball somewhere down in the States. That always was my dream ever since I started playing the game. Nebraska's somewhere new that I've never been, and the program and the college in McCook was just a super good fit for myself, and the coach made it super welcoming for me."

McCook went 38-14 this past season - the second-highest win total in team history - before falling to the Western Nebraska Community College on May 10 in the Region IX double-elimination tourney.

Walter said going into a strong program is a plus as she looks to continue to excel after junior college wraps up in 2023.

"Definitely made the decision easier. I think there's a lot of history in the program that'll definitely help us be successful in the coming years. And then obviously the more successful we are, the better chance I'll have for transferring somewhere else - hopefully into a Division I college after I play my two years with McCook. Just getting a little bit of experience and some wins under my belt will help aid that decision and moving forward."

Walter made it into two games as a freshman, recording a hit and a run batted in.

But being part of the organization showed her what it takes to compete at the collegiate level.

"I think there are two points I've really improved on in the last little bit. One is the whole mental side of the game. Just being able to be mentally prepared and ready for the game is just a huge aspect, rather than just being physically prepared. A good mindset going into the game, knowing what it takes to win, having that determination and the drive."

She said the other aspect that really improved is the physical side.

"My conditioning and just getting stronger overall. I really realize that when you play at a higher level, especially the collegiate level, your physical condition and the amount of muscle you build is huge. Having stamina and being able to last a whole season of possible 60 games."

This summer, Walter is an assistant coach with the 16U Southeast Sun Devils softball team.

"I absolutely love it. I always said since I was a little kid that I one day just wanted to coach and give back all the skills that my coaches have given me to younger girls in our community. Being able to give back and watch these girls develop into the players, and I've grown relationships with them."

She said it also helps her future aspirations in a coaching or management capacity.

"I hope to end up coaching a university - hopefully a Division I or Division II - down in the States. And like I said, this is just a little bit of experience to get on my resume and build some coaching skills and background."

In the classroom, Walter will be studying sport and rec management with a coaching minor. She might go into a coaching major at one point, but for now she's happy with it being a minor. She says she'd also be interested in managing a professional sports team.

Kim Ng became the first female general manager in Major League Baseball history when the Miami Marlins announced she'd assume the role last November.

The recent shift towards more women in coaching and management positions in sports is encouraging for Walter.

"I think being able to see the shift in women's role in major league sports is outstanding, and I think it's actually starting to come around. Being able to one day get in a manager position would just be unexplainable in my opinion. I do believe that women do have a lot of knowledge, and we put a lot of time and effort into our sports that there's no reason that we can't handle those positions, and I think once again that that step is just really big, and I would really like to see that happen to me."

Walter doesn't know any of the players with her new team yet but is confident the move to a new team and new location will be a smooth transition.

"I'm going in a little bit blindsided, but once again I think that's going to be a great opportunity for myself to go in, kind of start fresh, make some new friends, and I'm not concerned one bit once you get down there. I know I'll have a whole team full of friends and people that I can rely on."

After two years of junior college, the ideal situation would be a Div. I team "as south as possible" in the States for the warm weather that's conducive to a long ball season. She mentioned Texas, Nebraska, and Kansas as states that came to mind.

How the rest of the story will unfold is to be determined. But Walter made sure to thank those who helped her write the story up to this point.

"If it wasn't for my experience in Mary and my experience playing in high school and my coaches and my family to support me throughout the way, obviously this wouldn't be available. I just always want to take time to thank everybody who has helped me get to this point because I couldn't do it myself."

Check out our conversation with Walter on the news and what lies ahead for here. The interview has been edited for brevity.