Everyday Champion -- Mia Longfellow
Mia Longfellow, a senior on the
OSU’s Caleb Hawley had a chance to sit down with Longfellow as this week’s Everyday Champion, in partnership with Target.
Q. You are from
A. “Through playing travel softball. When I was playing on the 18-and-under team
Q. What were your main influences to enroll at
A. “My parents. My mom is a firm believer in education. Even if I didn’t play softball I knew I was going to attend a university.”
Q. How did you get started in softball? Who or what were your early influences?
A. “When I was young my parents were both my coaches. As I got a little older it was really the only sport my dad was able to coach me and my little sister.”
Q. What was it like having your family involved in your sport?
A. “It was great having my whole family involved with softball – there was definitely a lot of family bonding time. We had a lot of RV trips. We would get in the motor home and end up making a weekend trip a week long trip. It was fun. Also my sister played on my high school team for a year while my dad was the coach. We definitely grew up in a sports environment.”
Q. Did you play any sports other than softball growing up?
A. “Throughout high school I did numerous things. I was on the golf team, basketball team and cross country team. Plus I did tennis and gymnastics when I was little. I pretty much did it all.”
Q. Do you miss any of those sports?
A. “I miss basketball because it’s a lot of action, a lot of running. It’s constant physical activity, where in softball you have those little moments where you can take a break and watch the game a little bit.”
Q. This season you broke the all-time OSU records for hits and singles. What does that mean to you as a player and how does it feel?
A. “It feels good. (with a laugh) It felt like it took a longer this season than it should have. It’s an accomplishment I’m proud to say I have achieved. It’s cool leaving a mark here at
Q. What have you enjoyed most about being part of the OSU softball team?
A. “The friendships I’ve made. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s so true. Every year, even the new freshmen coming in, I’ve made a good bond with everyone.”
Q. You are majoring in human development and family sciences along with education... How did you get interested in those fields?
A. “I knew I wanted to do something along the lines of working with people and interacting and communicating with them. I wanted to be able help them as well. The more I got into the human resources kinds of classes the more I realized I enjoyed teaching.”
Q. How difficult is it to be a student-athlete and still maintain a solid GPA? How do you manage your time?
A. “I get my studies in. I make sure I finish all of my assignments and do my readings. That’s pretty much a big thing. I’ve taken a lot more pride in the last couple years in academics. It’s something I want to accomplish for myself. After having my struggles my first year, and knowing how difficult it is, it’s something I’ve really taken on as part of what I want to accomplish here at
Q. What do you like to do when you actually get some free time to yourself?
A. (with a laugh) “Sleep! I like to go out to eat if I have the time too. Get some girls together and go out to eat.”
Q. What are your plans once you get your degree and finish your softball career at OSU?
A. “When I finish here with my undergrad I will have my credentials. So I will be going to teach down in
Q. What extra-curricular activities have you been involved in?
A. “I do a lot of volunteer work in the local classrooms around here, mostly at the elementary schools. I’ve volunteered at
Target wants to congratulate Mia Longfellow, who is this week's Everyday Champion. As a company structured entirely of teams, Target understands how crucial each and every Team Member is, both on and off the field. OSU Athletics and Target would like to recognize these outstanding Athletes for not only driving their own individual accomplishments, but for driving their team's ultimate success. Target is a proud partner with OSU Athletics.
