Laila

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

What I love most about playing sports is being part of a team and getting to do what I enjoy. I love competing and challenging myself. Each sport is different but they all teach me to work hard, stay positive, and never give up. I especially love the friendships I have made through sports. Some of my favorite memories are laughing with my teammates, encouraging each other, cheering, celebrating when we do something great, and picking each other up. I love knowing my teammates can count on me.

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

My mom inspires me because she has always shown me what hard work and dedication look like. As my mom and coach, she pushes me to be better, believes in me when I doubt myself, and reminds me to never give up.

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

The moment that makes me proudest is getting to play in the Little League World Series on ESPN. It was a dream come true to represent my team on such a big stage and compete against some of the best players in the country. We had a tough loss in the finals, but that experience taught me that losing doesn’t define you. It taught me resilience, how to handle disappointment, and how to come back stronger. I was proud of how hard we worked together and how we never gave up.