What is your name? Claudia Riddle
How old are you? 20 years old
What grade are you in(if applicable)? sophomore
Where do you attend school(if applicable) Western Carolina University
What sport(s) do you play? softball
Why did you first choose your sport? my dad played baseball his whole life
Why do you continue to play your sport? I love the person the sport has made me
become, as well as the people it has allowed me to meet
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be? SoCon
player of the year
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you? One of the most important things
in my life behind my faith, family and school.
What is your favorite sports quote? “The hardest skill to acquire in this sport is where
you compete all out, give it all you have, and you are still getting beat no matter what
you do. When you have the killer mindset to fight through that, that is special” - Eddie
Reese
What emotions do you feel when you play well? Confidence & happiness
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing? Surrounded (Fight My Battles)
by Upperroom
What is your favorite movie about sports? We are the Titans
How does being an athlete make you a better person? This is hard for me to answer
because being an athlete has pushed me to be the person I am today in many ways.
The sport has given me the mindset to never give up on myself or others because we all
struggle, and we all succeed. Hard work and determination will bring you more success
in life than skill ever will, and that is something that i have learned to apply in all aspects
of my life.
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete? Remind myself that i have
put my time in and worked my butt off to be prepared for that exact moment
If you could play another sport what would it be? Soccer
What age were you when you started your sport? 9 years old
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition? chick fil a
Who inspired you as a young athlete? my father
What one word describes you? determined
Who was your favorite coach and why? My 12u coach named Myka was my favorite
coach. She encouraged me to play the game without the fear of failing.
What do you give up to play sports? In college the thing i give up most for softball is my
free time/social life outside of the team
What is your favorite place to compete? Under the lights
What mental tool do you use under pressure? I envision myself executing a positive
outcome in the situation
What is your favorite mantra? look low
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? i think attitude is the biggest factor in
winning
What image gets you ready to compete? I don’t have a specific image, but i always
imagine myself succeeding before a game, and that always pushes me to complete
better
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good? Being an athlete inspires me to do
good because i now have a better understanding that mistakes and failure are bound to
happen to everyone, but the way you respond to those failures or hurdles in life
determines your outcome
How does athletics make you a better student or worker? Athletics has made me a
better student by never allowing me to go towards anything half trying. Softball has
taught me if i fail at something, i can at least say i failed giving it everything i have.