Alayna Long is a senior fast pitch softball player for Fairview High School, and she said she’s been in love with the game since she could walk. “I fell in love with softball at the age of four,” Long said. “Softball has given me the chance to make a name for myself, meet so many amazing people, and just allows me to be myself. Those are some of the main reasons why I love to play.” 

At the time of writing, Long said her Lady Yellowjackets were 5-8, but record aside said things were going very well. “We are a very young team, so this year has been about learning and growing together as a team,” she said. “We play in one of the hardest districts in 2A. As a team, our goals have been just to be good teammates, leaders, and to work hard. For myself, my goals have varied with the adversity I’ve had to overcome. But my biggest goal for myself is to get to All State and become the player I was a year ago, or even better.” 

Long also said being a leader on a young team is a role she has learned to embrace. “I’ve formed really close relationships with the underclassmen this year,” she said. “I’m there whenever they need anything or to answer any questions they might have.“I think it says a lot about my character that my coaches respect me as a player and a person,” she continued. “My character has definitely been tested this past year with everything I’ve been through, but it made me a better person. I want to be a genuine person on and off the field. I’m not only representing FHS, but I’m representing Seminole State softball as well.” 

Seminole State has awarded Long with a full ride to play softball next year and Long said she plans to major in physical education and eventually become a softball coach. She said her free time is limited, but when she gets it she likes to relax or hang with friends.