鈥楥atch-ing鈥� up with Ayala HS rising softball star Jaelynn Molina
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — Meet rising softball star, Jaelynn Molina, (14) a freshman at Ruben S. Ayala High School. Jaelynn has played both softball and volleyball in her first year of high school, however has spent the last 10 years honing her skills on the softball field as a catcher. While she lives for each game and goal right in front of her, she certainly has long term dreams of playing college softball.
None of this happens however, without certain challenges and she says, 鈥淢y biggest challenge is finding the motivation to work out or practice every day. I manage this by thinking as soon as I get it done, the quicker I can relax.鈥�
Great coaches are such an important part of a young athletes growth, and Jaelynn believes the best advice she鈥檚 been given is not to play down to your opponents level.聽 鈥淚t’s easy to relax when you think you’re playing a lower ranked team, but I’ve learned you can’t think like that,鈥� she remarks.聽 鈥淵ou can be outworked by anyone on any day, so I’m always working to be the best version of myself.鈥�
Jaelynn loves being with her team and truly enjoys being a catcher. 鈥淚 am the eyes on the field and I love that,鈥� she exclaims. She also believes that catchers are underrated, and feels they can make or break a team and she holds a great amount of pride in working hard for her teammates. 鈥淭hey fire me up and I thrive on that!鈥�
As a young athlete playing both high school and travel ball for Batbusters Edmonds 14U, she doesn鈥檛 have much free time. When she does have some time, she likes to hang out with her friends, going to the mall or watching movies. Jaelynn describes herself as shy at first, but outgoing once she gets to know you. She loves to snack on grapes. She also loves pita chips and hummus. Her favorite artist is Drake as she feels he has a little bit of everything for every mood she鈥檚 in or needs to be. Before any game she likes to set everything out the night before, and makes sure her hair is braided.
In her young 14 years, Jaelynn feels she鈥檚 learned to try not to be selfish. 鈥淚 have to not only think about myself, but also my team and what’s best for everyone as a team.鈥� A mistake she says she鈥檚 made is letting different people get into her head during games. She鈥檚 learned to block out the noise of the stands and focus on what she has to do, which is to provide for her team. Rising above and pushing through are of course, what elevates elite players.聽 Her personal motto is to, 鈥済et 1% better every day鈥� which is often in the back of her mind.
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