Jayden

Connect

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Joy loves everything about softball—the competition, the challenge, and the opportunity to constantly improve. She loves stepping onto the field knowing every pitch is a new opportunity to make something happen. But most of all, she loves her teammates. She loves celebrating their successes, picking them up after tough moments, and competing together. Softball has taught her grit, confidence, leadership, and that the best victories are the ones you earn together.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

My biggest inspiration, on and off the field, is my mom. I’ve watched her face challenges with strength, faith, grit, and determination and never give up. She has taught me to work hard, fight for what I want, stay humble, and always put God first. On the field, I try to carry that same fierce determination. Off the field, I hope to have her heart for others, her strength through hard times, and her faith through it all.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

The moment that makes me proudest isn’t a big hit, a championship, or a great play—it’s watching her have the courage to try something new even when she’s scared she might fail. Joy has learned that being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid; it means you step up and try anyway. Watching her push past fear, take chances, and believe in herself makes me prouder than any statistic ever could. Those are the moments I know softball is teaching her lessons she’ll carry for the rest of her life.