Follows hero’s footsteps

school so to come out with two degrees and almost finished my PHD, it shows what softball can do,’’ Andrews says.

‘‘When I was young, I didn’t know anyone who went to university. I played alongside Olympians who had children and worked fulltime to support their families.’’

Andrews has known Lewin since she was a toddler and is confident she will be a success in the States.

‘‘She could represent Wellington in any sport – rugby, basketball, league – she is such a natural. The world is her oyster because she can excel at whatever she does,’’ says Andrews.

Lewin, like most teenage girls, shies away from such praise but remains confident and articulate when she chats about how she hopes her life will play out.

Having played for the White Sox at two tournaments already, she’s keen to help them qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

More immediately, she wants the New Zealand U18 side to finish in the top eight in Lima at the first-ever women’s U18 world championships, and she knows the pressure will be on her in the classroom and on the diamond at Chipola College.

But she’s already experienced pressure at the top, having played for the senior national team at the Australia Pacific Cup the last two years.

It was, she admits, intimidating at first. ‘‘These are people I used to see on TV and here I was playing against them or in the same team,’’ she says.

‘‘That level exposes – I don’t want to say your weaknesses – but the things you need to work on. And it was also cool to play alongside and against people I look up to.’’

One of those people is Andrews, who used to keep an eye on Lewin in after-school care at Petone’s Wilford Primary School.

‘‘Getting to play alongside [Andrews] is surreal. I never thought I would be good enough in time to play in the same team as her,’’ Lewin says.

The pair are team-mates for Hutt Valley and New Zealand, and Andrews is far from surprised Lewin has broken into the senior ranks so young.

‘‘I’m so proud of Caitlyn and her work ethic,’’ she says. ‘‘She has always had the physical ability, but she has really grown mentally too.’’

This story was originally published on Locker Room at newsroom.co.nz, and is republished with permission.