When Cambry Frantsvog enters the eighth grade at Erik Ramstad Middle School later this month, she’ll have some stories to share. In two weeks, Frantsvog will be taking part in the USA Softball All-American Games in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The right-handed pitcher and shortstop is one of five players selected from North Dakota to represent the North Central Region team.

“I’m honored to be playing with the team,” Frantsvog said. “I’m very excited, but I’m also nervous… just representing North Dakota and the Midwest.”

Frantsvog, who plays with the U12 Minot Storm fastpitch travel team, attended one of the youth USA Softball tryouts two months ago in Bismarck to make the All-American team.

She will be among 360 players nationwide to wear the Team USA Softball jersey at this elite event held from Aug. 18-20.

“Cambry’s (Minot Storm fastpitch) team was playing in a tournament in Bismarck,” her dad Dean Frantsvog said. “The coaches said something about this tryout the day before (the tournament) and if anybody was interested. They said you’d get some more swings in and get some more field time. Nobody really had high hopes of getting in. A couple of the girls said they would like to do that, so Cambry and a few of her teammates went down the day before.”

The decision paid off, as Cambry Frantsvog showcased her skills in drills after drills. Everything from hitting, fielding and running — fundamentals that have been developed by the help of the Minot Storm Fastpitch program.

“She was our shortstop, pitched and was our lead-off hitter,” Storm coach Chris Falcon said. “She started our lineup and got us going. Whenever she wasn’t pitching, she would play short. So, she had a lot of responsibilities.”

Falcon added: “I think all the kids on the team are excited for her. It’s just an exciting opportunity for her, a kid from Minot, but also just for her personally to get out there and enjoy it. She is a great player with a great attitude, so I hope she makes the most of it.”

The USA Softball All-American Games will feature a skills camp, a meet and greet with select Team USA members and a three-game guarantee pool play with a knockout phase to determine a champion.

“There are so many talented players across the country,” Dean Frantsvog said. “Cambry will get a good exposure to see the different levels of play from across the country. There are going to be players there from all 50 states.”

The tournament will bolster 24 teams from across the United States. Each team will consist of 15 athletes and two coaches. The Northern region was divided up into two teams with from players coming from Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota.

It’s an opportunity to see the best of the best.

“I kind of want to know what it is going to be like in the future,” Cambry Frantsvog said in reference to facing tougher competition. “It’s going to be pretty hard, so I just want to learn as much as I can. Just get to know everyone and how they play.”

A hands-on learning experience that will hopefully create memories to last a lifetime.

“I hope she has fun down there and meets some new people,” Dean Frantsvog said. “That’s really what we are hoping for. Just that she has an enjoyable experience and continues her love for softball.”

Alex Eisen covers Minot High School, Minot State athletics and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.