And so, we'll start a little bit Do you want to start in softball slider a little bit about yourself first? I don't really care. I'm good with my wheat. So start a little bit about you. So see, originally you played sports softball and flag football growing up what inspired the decision to go with those two sports and like what's unique about fly football especially so I
played multiple sports all through middle school just because you got to stay busy. But high school I just picked the main to fly football got implemented my freshman year and it was the first year for the sport. The Atlanta Falcons like started it in Georgia. So that was really cool. And I just wanted something that would like allow me to be competitive and show off my speed because those are my two strong suits. And then like obviously pick softball because that's like my main passion but I just wanted to have another sport like flag to stay ready for like the offseason
speed were you more like a like a receiver typing Why
was the running back and then I also rush the quarterback. Yeah,
it really isn't that speed your advantage so you talked about obviously no real flag football at college yet maybe? Well, there is
it's just it's like the and I and I and I Yeah, that sounds right. So the NAI level and I think they're moving into like D 3d too. It's it's getting a lot bigger and I know a lot of other states have started making programs too. But yeah, they
went from Zune nowadays. Need to get your spot Yeah, but anyways, you talk softball, obviously your main sport when did you first really fall in love with the sport and what was really the moment click for you? Yeah, so
my sister also plays college and softball, so I just like college and softball softball in college. So I just like grew up around it. I started playing T ball when I was three. And then I think once I finally started, like, I started traveling, I was sick. So I was like, really, really young. But I think after that, like it started getting really competitive. And I just loved it ever since. So
obviously you were let me see if I get this right born in Alabama moved to Georgia and Alabama moved to Georgia and now I live in Alabama again. Okay, there you go. So obviously in the south, you're playing softball year round. Yeah, it's pretty competitive. It's one of the main things there. What was it like to be in that sort of atmosphere? Oh,
it's great. Like so I lived in Birmingham and like the two powerhouses in the south really like Birmingham and Atlanta. So I was either driving to Atlanta, I was driving to Birmingham and I chose Birmingham and it was great. Like, you start from such a young age and you just grew up with those girls and you get to see them progress and then grow too. So it was just really cool to be in that environment.
Awesome. And then obviously throughout high school I've gotten pulled up here you did a lot. 4.3 GPA member, a DECA leader, a yearbook leader of the sisterhood club, just what was it like outside of softball being so involved in everything else and just like able to manage your time and that sort of way? Yeah, I just wanted
to make an impact on my school not just as an athlete, so getting involved in those like organizations is really important to me. It was definitely a time commitment, like trying to juggle both, but I think it really prepared me for college. So
you're on a team, but you've already got a whole merch line set up, which I think is really cool. You got this sweatshirt it says audience of one. What does that phrase mean to you personally and why does it represent you so well as a person?
Yeah, so I'm really strong in my faith and I just really want to glorify Him and all that I do and and I don't need to perform for all the fans out there. The fans are great, like I love playing in front of them but my performance is not like I don't base my identity and my performance. I base it on him so like the audience of one is just playing for him like everything I do. Very cool.
And then obviously I tried to ask this question to everybody. You're rocking with the number eight this year and it's a really clean look just what inspired that number. Was that number you rocks through elementary school or high school or is that something you brought in? I've
always had number eight, but actually we honored Alex Wilcox a couple of weekends ago and I played on the same travel ball team as her. So they retired her number when she passed away with my organization. And then once I got here, the number was available, so I picked it back up. So just kind of wearing it to honor her to that's
very cool. And then obviously now moving a little bit more to the softball side of things here at Mizzou. Coming from Georgia to Georgia slash Alabama so a little bit of a trip obviously there's a lot of good SEC schools around that area. What inspired Mizzou what really connected with you in this university.
Yeah, so I the first time I came on campus, everybody said that you'd like get that feeling like this is where you're supposed to be and coaches just driving me around the golf car and I looked at my mom and I was like, I think this is it like it just it was like a sense of belonging. Like I felt like I was home like they just really care about you more as a person than as an athlete. They just really want you to succeed in life and you can just feel that like what their presence and how they talk to you and it was just really nice.
When you think about the campus. What is your favorite part if you had to pick one singular spot?
I really liked the columns. I know that's cheesy and everyone says it but I just think it's just like a cool area.
I mean, it's the best part on campus. I'm not surprised. So all through high school, we're batting over 500 Both the club and a high school level which is ridiculous obviously still on bass Master. What really like how are you so good in high school like what was it just consistent practice?
I will say like I mainly chopped the ball in high school like I'm a I was a slapper most I didn't swing at all then and I would tell my coach not to water the field. So I just dropped the ball on Oh, just go up and then they just can't really feel Bunsen high school either. So I just took advantage of that when I could and took extra bases because they just couldn't really catch up. Obviously
everything looks at you and it's the speed. Did you just develop that over time? Are you just like born naturally quick? I've
always been pretty fast. But I did a lot of training. I had a strength coach. I probably started in sixth or seventh grade and I worked with him all through high school and I still like to work with him in the summer and on break and stuff. So he really helped me a lot like develop.
Very cool obviously, coach, the wrestler saw that speed and said hey, we can take advantage of that and so freshman year primarily been used as a pinch runner. Was there ever that conversation with LA that she was like, Okay, you're gonna get some at bats, but mostly we're gonna use you out on the diamond runner.
Yeah, well, she definitely was like, take advantage of your opportunities if I get an A bat or whatnot. But she said that I'm gonna win a lot of ballgames. For them like you can you can win a ballgame stealing stealing third and the sales pass quality score like you win the game you know it's uh she just told me to take advantage of that and then she always says like star in the role you're in and work with the role you want. So obviously I want to be out there starting but if my role is as pinch runner is what they what the team needs, and I'm more than happy to do that. When
you're out there on the base paths, like what are you looking for? What are you looking to see to kind of take advantage of that and get every single advantage from the pitcher?
Yeah, I just look for mistakes. I try to read the ball down as much as I can. And you kind of have to read the defense like of thirds up and you don't think the shortstop can get there then taking advantage of that extra base to very
cool. See, obviously you're not the tallest person around it's not a surprise to anybody. When you look at the your light body and the frame that you kind of have how has that been able to be an advantage? Would you say when you've been playing softball these years? Yeah, well, the
strike zone definitely changes that works in my favor. They just have to pitch to me which is nice. And if nothing really changes that that just plays to my advantage and my speed obviously helps that too. One
thing I know you've been talking about is like working on your power trying to get that up especially against these college pitchers who throw the ball really fast. What's been the biggest area that you've been trying to increase and make yourself a more developed player and yes,
so I'm just forming myself as a triple threat I in the fall I only swung away like they didn't let me slap at all, which I think that really like helps me become like be able to but slop and hit was really important. So just like keep working on that and obviously like we work with Brad all the time, our strength coach. So just getting in like extra lifts and stuff with him has been very helpful too.
You're out here on the bench for a lot of the game and suddenly, you're called up on the path. You gotta be ready to go in the game. What can you do to make sure that you're ready at that very moment when you're called upon?
Yeah, you just kind of speak your mind right and we also just like running between innings to just keep our legs moving. And I think that just keeps us ready.
So almost done with your first year here. What would you encapsulate your first year What's it kind of been like for you as we're ending the first year off right? I suppose.
Yeah, it's been great. Like we we had to start packing up the dorm yesterday because we move out Wednesday which is like crazy to even think about but it's just been such a blessing being here. Like my teammates have exceeded every expectation that I like set like this program has been great. Like we're really on the right track. And I think that we're gonna end the year in a special place. I think so.
I think this will be my last question. Obviously you and Danielle fairly similar players. I mean, both outfielders known for their speed now kind of taking on very similar roles here just what's that kind of been like to develop and kind of experience this role together?
Yeah. So I mean, we're roommates we've we've pretty much been friends from the beginning, since we both committed here and it's just cool like we compete with each other but all outside of the field. You never know that like I think we're friends through it all. And it's just been really cool to like see her grow and I think she'd say the same about me. It's just cool to like, work up with each other.
What is your favorite memory with Daniel if you had to pick one? Oh, all
the like late nights in the dorms are like late night sweet treat runs. We're big sweet treat girls. So like I just think those like little fun memories are just so cool.
What's your go to sweet treat, and
I have been on a like milk and cookies kick. So we're just like making insomnia run or like DoorDash because it's easier. But yeah, that's been the go to insomnia.
It's like so far outside of campus. It's
so good. But in the fall we were like I would buy a cake every single week and we just like eat cake so that's
awesome. That's all I got anything else they this your story wouldn't be complete without or I don't think so. I love that answer because that means I hit everything I want it to pleasure to meet you Claire. Thanks so much. Have a good day.
