Bio

1. Why are sports so important in your life?

Sports have always been a part of my life. They maintain a balance in my life which keeps me focused on my goals. When I play sports I have the determination to get better and be the best I can for myself and my team; which has led to the determination I have in other parts of my life. It makes me put aside time for other things in my life: school, family, work, and fun. Playing any sport has always given me the joy to stay driven and push through even when things get tough.

2. What is the most memorable sports achievement in your life and has it changed you as a person and athlete?

The most memorable moment in my sports career happens in two parts which made me most proud and humbled. My junior year of high school my softball team won the 2009 State Championship for the third time in a row. It was an impressive win because the ream we defeated was our league rival and our third time seeing them in the championship. However, the year before we had graduated four all-state players, two of them were the all-state catcher and pitcher, and no one expected our 2009 team, with no seniors, to go all the way to the championship. The young team had a completely different offense and defense than the year before but were able to come though and win! My team and school was thrilled we came back against the odds to win. We were so close, and we worked hard to say, "we can do anything together. It takes a whole team not just a player". The next year was different though; we were the team everyone was scared to face. With everyone back for the 2010 season there was no one to stand in our way of going to the title game for the fourth time with five seniors. I was completely humbled the day we made it to the first round of playoffs. On a miserable, rainy day in late May, we lost to a team we should have beat. I saw the my fellow seniors break down on the bench with three innings left to go, and once that happened I knew we were not supose to win that year. It had to be a lesson. My final year we thought it was suppose to be given to us, but that team did not work as hard as the one the year before--even though it was all the same girls, we were different. I learned from these events nothing is ever given and you have to work hard to earn anything.