Danika Nell received the Manitoba High School’s Athletic Association’s most prestigious award on Tuesday as the Boissevain native wrapped up her final week at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg.

Nell was named the MHSAA’s 2023-24 AAAA and overall Female Athlete of the Year.

"It's great,” remarked Nell shortly after the association’s press conference at Sport Manitoba in downtown Winnipeg. “So much went into it, not only my own practice time but all the time and support from my family, friends, coaches and everything. It's an unbelievable way to cap off such a great two years at Massey and my two years at Boissevain School as well."

Nell holds an academic average of 97.4% and participated in volleyball, basketball and softball during her grade 12 year at Vincent Massey.

The Trojans lost to the Sturgeon Heights Huskies in five sets in the AAAA varsity girls volleyball final in Nell’s grade 11 year and then fell to Steinbach Regional in five sets in the quarterfinals this year.

"We kind of had an unfinished mission going in with volleyball,” said Nell. “We dropped it last year. It didn't end the way we wanted this year to, but I think it was successful in its own way. We had such a great year and built such great connections with grade 11's and the grade 12's even. Taking that into our softball season, it was awesome to cap off that one. Get a repeat for some of the girls. It's always nice to win a banner with some people that have never won it before."

The Trojans won their second straight Provincial High School Softball Championship earlier this month in Portage la Prairie.

Vincent Massey reeled off five straight wins including a 9-2 victory over the Virden Bears in the final.

"Going in we definitely had a bit of a target on our backs,” said Nell who was named the tournament MVP. “We could feel that all weekend for sure. Everyone was putting their “A” lineup against up but honestly pressure is a privilege. I always say that to myself when I'm out there playing. Those are the kind of games that I live for. I love that kind of stuff. Any moment I could capitalize and do something extra special for my team, I wanted to. That weekend was great."

It marked the third straight provincial fastpitch championship for Nell who helped her hometown Boissevain Broncos win the 2022 banner in Brandon.

This summer Nell will be traveling and playing with her softball team in the United States and will continue to play with Smitty's Terminators and is hoping to win a provincial championship and head to Nationals. She is also looking to cap off her summer with the National U18 Women’s Team at the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s World Cup Group Stage in Dallas and then head off to Massachusetts and begin her freshman year at Boston University.

"I am so excited,” exclaimed Nell who plans to become a doctor, working towards a medical degree while playing Division I softball. “That's something that I committed last year in March and just leading out to this point, I cannot wait to get there and start University, start with the softball team and get going."

Danika Nell picked up a baseball glove at the age of six.

12 years later, as her high school journey comes to an end with the MHSAA’s Female Athlete of the Year trophy in her possession, I asked one of our countries best pitchers to comment on her hometown Centennials who won gold at Softball Manitoba’s Provincial U11 A championship this past Sunday in Winnipeg.

"Honestly, I just got goosebumps when you said that,” answered Nell. “That's the team I grew up with. I can still remember playing at the Kinsmen Park in Boissevain on that teeny-tiny little diamond. I remember I would throw a tennis ball at the wall 100 times before I would even go to a game. That's where my love for the game grew and it's just so nice to see that next generation kind of following in the footsteps a little bit."