Port Coquitlam Olympian Jenn Salling is coming home.
No, the softball star who helped Canada to its first-ever medal in the sport at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 isn’t moving back to her hometown after spending the past two years working as an assistant coach for the University of Central Florida Knights.
Salling, who announced her retirement as a player on social media shortly after she helped Canada’s national team defeated Mexico in the bronze medal game at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium, is returning to the University of Washington where she was a two-time All-American in her three seasons as a Husky.
“I am so excited be back home,” said Salling on social media.
“I have never felt and been more ready to serve and give back everything that the University of Washington softball program gave to my family and I.”
Salling had a .342 career batting average for the Huskies and she drove in 92 runs — 43 in her senior season. She was named the Pac-10’s defensive player of the year as well as first team all-conference and she was a top-25 finalist for USA Softball’s collegiate player of the year.
“I am super excited to bring Jenn back home for this opportunity to continue building on the legacy of Husky softball,” said Heather Tarr, Huskies' softball head coach, in news release, adding Salling’s responsibilities will include working with the players to improve their offensive and defensive abilities.
Salling developed her love for softball when she was toted along to her dad's fastpitch games as an infant, then joined PoCo Minor Softball when she was five.
Salling joined Canada’s national team in 2006 and she was one of only four players in Tokyo who had also competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where it finished fourth.
As well, she played in five WBSC women’s softball world championships and won three silver medals and a gold at four Pan American Games.
At Central Florida, Salling helped guide the Knights to consecutive 30-win seasons and appearances in two-straight NCAA regional tournaments.
