Hard work is an important part of being a successful athlete. Whether it is in the workout room, at practice, or even outside of practice, the time you devote to becoming better is vital to your success. Faith Williams knows that the work is important, but she says thatthere are other things you must be willing to do.

“I’ve had to sacrifice a lot of social time,” she said. “Starting at an early age, I’ve missed a lot of birthday parties, weddings, and graduations. But I want to play at the next level, so I keep myself motivated with that.”

Williams is a junior at Kiefer High School, where she plays both softball and basketball. Other than playing sports, she is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Throughout her sports career, Faith has enjoyed some memorable moments on and off the field with her teammates, but she has one moment that she considers her favorite.

“We were playing in Arkansas and the wind was blowing hard and we were hitting against the wind,” she recalled. “Right before me at bat my coach told me not to try to kill the ball and that we just needed a base hit because nobody was going to hit it out in that wind. One pitch later, I proved him wrong, and we went ahead and ended up winning a close one.”

Faith has had several people that have had an influence on her life and helped shape her into the person that she is. But out of all of them, she says that there are a couple that have had the biggest impact.

“My dad is my biggest role model,” she said. “He’s the most patient person I know, and he always makes time for me whether it’s to work with me in softball or take me hunting or fishing. The biggest influence on me has been my hitting coach, Mandy Sullivent. I’ve been going to her since I was eight years old, and we have developed a close bond. My lessons are just as much about life and the mental part of getting through the softball journey as they are my swing.”

Out of the numerous opponents that Williams and her teammates go up against, there is one matchup that she looks up to the most.

“I’d have to say Preston is the Faith Williams opponent that I enjoy beating the most,” she said. “In basketball and softball, it’s always a high emotion game because the atmosphere is really hyped on both sides.”

Faith loves to play sports and there is no denying that, but she will be the first to tell you that she is not the only athlete in her family.

“My big brother, Jacob, has Down Syndrome and he plays baseball for the Challenger League,” she said. “I grew up going to his games and it made me appreciate my abilities and never take them for granted. Plus, I can always count on him to remind me he’s the best player in the family.”