Hyland, Mexico Ready for Tokyo Olympics Softball Tournament
7/15/2021 1:04:00 PM | Softball
"Representing my family, hometown, Cal Poly and Mexico is such an honor. I honestly never thought my softball career would get to where it is now." – Sierra HylandBy Chris Giovannetti
Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
SAN LUIS OBISPO – The first Olympian in Cal Poly softball program history, righthander Sierra Hyland looks to become the Cal Poly Athletic Department's first medalist in 13 years when the Mexico Women's National Team opens play at the 2020 Tokyo Games on Tuesday, July 20 at 11 p.m. PT (Wednesday, July 21 local) versus Canada at Yokohama Stadium.
The Big West Conference's all-time strikeout leader and a two-time NFCA All-America selection at Cal Poly (2014-17), Hyland – who began competing internationally around the end of her collegiate career – helped Mexico qualify for its first Olympic softball appearance in August 2019 with a 2-1 victory against host Canada at the Softball Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
"Representing my family, hometown (Visalia, Calif.), Cal Poly and Mexico is such an honor. I honestly never thought my softball career would get to where it is now," said Hyland, a member of National Pro Fastpitch's Chicago Bandits until the league's 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic. "I just hope I'm making everyone proud throughout this journey and I hope everyone that has been a part of this journey is very appreciated."
With the Tokyo Olympics postponed one year by the COVID pandemic, Mexico shares the six-nation tournament pool alongside host Japan, the United States (2018 Softball World Championship winner), Italy (Africa/Europe Olympic Qualifying Tournament champion), Canada (Softball Americas Olympic Qualifying runner-up) and Australia (Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifying champion).
The tournament features a round-robin schedule from July 21-27. The top two countries in the standings will meet in the Tuesday, July 27 gold medal game. Countries finishing third and fourth will play for the bronze medal.
"Our schedule will be tough every day and we'll have to compete at our best to insure a high seeding," said Hyland, one of four pitchers on the Mexico roster alongside fellow NCAA standouts Dallas Escobedo (Arizona State), Danielle O'Toole (Arizona) and Taylor McQuillin (Arizona). "Every game will be a dogfight because every team has a good chance of winning."
A podium finish by Mexico would make Hyland the first Cal Poly athlete to medal since Stephanie Brown-Trafton (United States) won discus gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Softball returns to the Olympics in Tokyo after a 12-year hiatus, but is not scheduled to be part of the 2024 Paris Olympic program. Japan enters as defending champion after defeating the United States in the 2008 gold medal match.
"When we found out the games might be canceled, it was heartbreaking – like it would be for any other Olympic hopeful," said Hyland, Cal Poly's all-time leader for victories (82), appearances (161), innings pitched (942.2), shutouts (38), complete games (104) and starts (122). "We knew this might be our only chance due to softball being voted out of the Olympics again. When we found out it was just postponed, it was an amazing feeling because we're now able to compete at the highest level and represent our families and our family's country.
"Personally, it was hard to stay motivated at first with the uncertainty. I lost myself for a bit because of the shelter in place. Things felt repetitive, like I was just starting to go through the motions day in and day out. Then I decided to hire a trainer – Nick Leyden – a former Cal Poly football player. That changed a lot. Working out with him three-to-four times per week got my body moving and energy flowing to where I was me again and able to see the brighter side of all that was happening. I remembered how training hard made me feel throughout the day. It reminded me of how hard I worked to get to this position. Not only for myself, but for my family, my team and the country of Mexico."
Once the Tokyo Games were confirmed to begin officially on July 23, the Mexico Women's National Team re-started its training camp and played exhibitions. Hyland and the team departed for Japan on July 7. Continuing preparations, the team has resided in the southern city of Onomichi, but plans to relocate to the Olympic village on Friday.
"I know once I walk through those gates, the feeling of becoming an Olympian will finally settle in," said Hyland who, along with the team, does not plan to attend the opening ceremony due to COVID protocols and the competition schedule.
MEXICO WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM SCHEDULE*
Tuesday, July 20 (11 p.m. PT): Canada
Wednesday, July 21 (8 p.m.): Japan
Friday, July 23 (10:30 p.m.): United States
Sunday, July 25 (4 a.m.): Italy
Monday, July 26 (4 a.m.): Australia
Monday, July 26 (9 p.m.): Bronze Medal Game
Tuesday, July 27 (4 a.m.): Gold Medal Game
*All times Pacific. Add 16 hours for local time in Tokyo.
Broadcast: NBCSN (first three pool games and gold medal game), CNBC (bronze game) and streaming via NBCOlympics.com and Peacock.
Saturday, May 02
Sunday, March 29
Sunday, March 29
Wednesday, February 25
