Becoming a successful athlete is not something that just happens overnight. It takes a lot of work and dedication to become the best you can at the sport you play. Brinly Maples knows the work and sacrifices that it takes to be successful.

“It has taken a lot of years and dedication,” she said. “I have gone weeks where I touch a softball every single day and if it’s not a ball it’s lifting weights to help train my body to be faster, stronger, and just all around better. But it has also taken losses and tears and getting knocked down a few notches to help humble myself and let me know that I still have room to improve and get better.”

Maples, who is a senior at Southmoore High School, has played softball for about 13 years. She currently plays pitcher and first baseman for the Lady SaberCats. 

Throughout her life, Brinly says that she has had some really good role models to look up to, but says that there are two people that have made the biggest impact.

“My parents would have to be my biggest role models,” she said. “They have been pushing me and helping me to be the best that I can. They are two of the biggest reasons why I have achieved all that I have so far.”

Brinly has made some great memories during her time playing softball. And while there are a lot of them, she says that last season’s state championship would have to be top on the list. 

“Winning state last fall is definitely my favorite memory,” she said. “I threw every single pitch of the state tournament for Southmoore. I was on cloud nine the entire time. I won state in 2018 at Westmoore as a freshman. While I was on that state championship winning team there, I wasn’t involved in the actual winning of those games. So yes, I was there but I felt like I didn’t deserve my medal and my ring but at Southmoore last fall I felt like I earned every single bit of it.”