***Photo Credit: Scissortail Photo Co

Everyone wants to be successful at whatever they are doing. Whether it is someone in the business world, a teacher, a stay at home parent, or someone else, they want to be the best that they can be at what is infront of them. Riley Kaler is a high school athlete and she says that she has worked hard to get where she is and has already seen it pay off.

“It has taken a lot of sacrifice,” she said. “There has been a lot of practice, dedication, and long weekends. My family helps me to stay motivated. This game can be hard and sometimes take a mental toll on you when things don’t go your way. My family has always had my back and been my biggest supporters.  No doubt that the highlight of my career was when I had the opportunity to commit to Murray State College and be able to continue playing softball at the next level.”

Riley is a senior at Durant High School. The senior plays centerfield for the Lady Lions softball team.

Though she enjoys the game, Kaler also enjoys the other things that playing sports has allowed her to be able to do.

“For me, playing for my school gives me a way to give back to youth in my community,” she stated. “I do it several ways. Each year our team holds a softball camp for youth in our community. I really enjoy going and working these camps to give back to the sport and to you girls who want to learn the sport. I have had so many great role models throughout my years of playing softball and I want to always make sure that I stop and talk to the youth, answer questions they may have, or just stop and show them. without some of the great softball role models i’ve have throughout I wouldn’t be where i’m at today. I want to be someone younger girls can look up too. I hope i’ve been a positive impact on them and someday they will remember me and what it means to be that role model someday.”

There is a collegiate softball player that Riley looks up to as a role model.

“Jayda Coleman is someone that I look up to,” she said. “Her dad was my hitting coach. I have learned so much from them as people and in the sport I love softball.”