Through hard work and dedication, star athlete Charlie Shearer has dominated multiple sports for years and the 17-year-old is not stopping any time soon.
Calling Shearer a multi-sport athlete might be an undersell. "I play AAA softball, AAA hockey, high school softball, I play school volleyball and basketball, I was on the school golf team this year, I'm into cross country as well as track and field. Plus, I'm an avid hunter."
While it's very impressive all that she does athletically, the keeping of her schedule might be the most impressive feat for the sensation from Glenboro, Manitoba. "Honestly, my nights are filled with something constantly," she says not long after finishing a ball practice in Brandon. "It's tough to balance school with everything, but I always find a way. I don't have a night off but I love the life I'm living now."
At a young age, Shearer says she discovered just how competitive of a person she is, and it was brought out by family. "I would classify myself as a very competitive person," she says with a chuckle. "I do not like to lose, I will push my hardest in anything. When I was younger, I had two brothers growing up that were always better than me at everything. Basically, they would tell me to go play hockey with them and I'd be out there for five minutes then I'd quit because I didn't like that they were better than me. I've since learned to get better and I actually beat them at everything now."
While she may be thinking about hockey or another sport, Shearer is right into the ball season and she says this year has been special, so far. "It's so exciting to have ball in full swing. This time last year, June 15th, I was injured and was put out for the entire season. So, this is eye-opening and exciting to be back into the season full swing and I'm hoping for an awesome, full season ahead of me."
Going through an injury is never easy but Shearer says she used that experience to get mentally tougher. "It was a mental battle for me. The recovery went well, I'm young and athletic, so it was a pretty easy recovery, but the mental side was a harder piece for me. Not being able to do what I love and what I spend every single day of my life doing, that was really tough for me. Sitting back and having to watch my team, my brothers and my friends do what I love most, that was a challenge."
Having been a part of so many teams, Shearer cherishes the friendships she's made through sports. "The majority of my best friends and the people I'm closest with, I've met through sport. Just being able to play with people who think the same as you and enjoy the same things as you, it's very special. My best friends and memories I'll cherish forever have come on the diamond or on the ice."
While she credits her brothers for always pushing her, Shearer says it's that family drive and their support that has allowed her to excel as an athlete. "My parents have always been my biggest fans, they've driven me thousands of miles to rinks, ball diamonds or courts. They've always been, being my number on fan, no matter the game or what happened in the game. They've allowed me to play almost anything I've ever wanted to and they've pushed to be the best I can be and be the best person I can be."
As time marches on, Shearer says she's been thinking about the future and is weighing options right now. "It's on my mind, for sure. I'm starting to nail down some posabilities. I have a couple of different offers for U-Sports, but I have to nail down what sport I want to play first. I'm in the lane of hockey and softball right now, so we'll see how the next little bit goes and we'll see where it takes me after."
No matter what she does, you can be assured that Charlie Shearer is going to be really, really good at it.