Due to the current coronavirus situation and all sports being shut down, there are a lot of athletes who have had their senior seasons cut short. ENC Sports Review thought it would be nice to highlight some of these seniors as a small way to celebrate their senior year, since so much has been taken from them already. Today, we will highlight Faith Christian Senior Logan Ayers. We thank Logan for taking the time to sit down with ENC Sports Review and answer these questions for us. We had fun learning more about her and we hope you will too!
How long have you been playing sports?
I have been playing sports ever since I could remember. I have always loved and valued sports greatly. Playing sports has always been a big part of my life. I started playing t-ball when I was four and my love for sports grew as I got older. Growing up there was nothing I’d rather be doing.
What teams have you been on? (This can be rec ball, middle school and high school.)
Throughout my sports career growing up, I have played softball, basketball and volleyball. When I was younger I actually started out playing baseball at Oak City Recreation until a softball program was formed. Then I played on a rec. softball team in Williamston. I have played on many all-star teams as well. During this time, I was attending Hobgood Academy and also played on the JV softball team my 6th grade year. Out of those three sports, softball has been the sport I’ve played the most. Outside of the recreational teams and school teams, I have played on several travel ball teams consisting of Carolina Shockwave, Wilson Elite, NC Dirt Flingers, Carolina Elite, and the Carolina Phanatics. I first started playing basketball through Upward and the youth basketball league at Hobgood Academy. I transferred to Faith Christian in my 7th grade year. Through my time at Faith Christian, I have played on the JV and varsity softball and basketball teams. I started playing volleyball at FCS at the beginning of my sophomore year and played throughout the rest of high school.
Who has been your favorite coach and what did he or she teach you that you carry with you today?
As I look back at all the teams I have played on, I am reminded of some of the great coaches that I’ve had the privilege of being coached by and it’s hard to pick just one coach, because I have had some pretty great coaches that I look up to tremendously who have impacted my life greatly. However, my favorite coach would have to be my dad. My dad has played a major role in my athletic career. He is my biggest fan and pushes me to be the best athlete and person I can be. He has not only coached me in sports but has coached me in life. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It’s because of him that I have developed my love and passion for sports and I can’t thank him enough. My dad has taught me many great lessons through sports and if I were to name all of them I’d be typing all day. Some of the most important lessons he has taught me is to work hard in everything I do, never give it up, never settle always want to be better than you were yesterday, hold yourself to high standards, never take the easy route because if you want to be the best you can be you have to go above and beyond and push yourself. He has taught me to never leave the court or field thinking you could have tried harder but to always give your best efforts. I am so thankful for all of these lessons that my dad has taught me that will be carried out throughout the rest of my life. My dad has shown me how to be a leader and a team player. I owe it all to him that I am the person and athlete I am today. In the midst of all the competitiveness, practices, crazy schedules, he always reminds me to put Christ first and that He should be in the center of everything I do. Thank you for not only being my dad but for being my coach in all aspects of life and for being my rock.
What is your favorite memory and least favorite memory of playing sports?
It’s hard to pick just one favorite memory from playing sports but I would say one of my favorite memories was when I played on the Williamston all-star team and we won the SWAC state championship three years in a row. One of my least favorite memories is when I walked off the volleyball/basketball court for the last time with my team and when I walked off the softball field with my team for possibly the last time without knowing. It is absolutely heartbreaking to think about not playing on that field again, not having a senior night, not playing with those girls ever again or not being able to play for my coaches again that I love dearly. When I walked off the basketball and volleyball court for the last time, that’s when it finally hit me that I had just played my last ever high school basketball and volleyball game. It was a lot to take in after realizing that you had just played your last game with your teammates that you have played with for years and share the love of the game with. It’s hard to come to a realization that playing the game you love with the people you love has come to an end. Experiencing all of these last has definitely been one of the hardest things for me but it just reminds me how blessed I truly am to be a part of something so special.
What is one thing that if you could do over again, you would change?
If I could do over one thing, I would do over the beginning of the softball season before Covid-19 took place. If I could repeat that time, which I really wish I could, I would have savored the moment more. I would have stayed after practice more and valued the time spent with my team and coaches a little more. I would have cheered a little louder, served my team more, asked coach Mike to tell us more of his stories and life lessons. I would have valued the moment more, worked harder, pushed my team more, would have taken a little longer to get warmed up with my throwing partner (Mary Taylor) and would have screamed patriots on three patriots on three a little louder. I would have used this time to really soak in the last few weeks I had with my team playing the game that we love. I am so lucky to be a part of such a great team that I will always remember and miss so much. I wish I could take the field with my team just one last time because we aren’t just a team we are family.
Who is someone you look up to and why?
Someone I look up to is my softball coach, Mike Leonard. Coach Mike has played a very crucial role in my softball career. Coach Mike decided to come back and coach at faith last year and I am so glad he did! Even though I have only had him for a coach for two short years he has impacted my softball career immensely. It feels like I have known and have had him for a coach much longer than two years. I not only look up to him as a coach but as a person as well. Out of all the coaches I have had he has definitely been one of my favorites. One of the reasons he is one of my favorite coaches is because he believes in each and every one of his players and their ability. As a player that is really reassuring to know you have a coach who believes in you and wants the absolute best for you. He loves and pushes each and every one of his players. He wants the best for us on and off the field. Most importantly he reminds us to put God first in all things in life and that everything we do should be for His glory. Coach Mike has one of the biggest hearts of any coach I have played for. His passion and love for the game and his players is very evident. He definitely loves coaching the game of softball! Before every game he tells us, “Play with heart, play with no fear and play as a team.” This is something I will always remember and carry out into the next chapter of my life. I am extremely blessed to say I was given the opportunity to play under Coach Mike. He has taught me many lessons and has helped me grow my love for the game of softball. He has helped me hold myself to high standards and has helped me become the leader I am today. For that I will forever be thankful. I hope to be half the coach he is some day!
If you could go back 5 years and tell yourself something then that you know now, what would it be?
If I could go back 5 years I would tell myself not to take my time in high school or playing sports for granted. When we were younger adults would always tell us to not wish our life away or to not take our time in high school for granted. When we were hearing this it didn’t really click because it felt like we had all the time in the world. As I got older I noticed how it seemed that each year would go by a little faster than the last. Now that my high school career has come to an end, I am reminded of how quickly it went by. If I could go back I would tell myself to work a little harder each and every practice, and not to just go through the motions. I would have set more goals for myself. I also would have reminded myself to take in every single practice and game because moments like this won’t last forever. We can’t stop time so we need to enjoy the moment while we still have it.
What is something you would tell someone trying to follow in your footsteps?
I would tell someone following in my footsteps to not compare yourself or your ability to others. Just focus on being the best you can be and focus on being better than you were yesterday. Work hard each and every practice and never give up. Have high expectations for yourself and push yourself. Set realistic goals for yourself before each season because this will help you hold yourself accountable and will help you work harder. Give it your all every time you walk out on the field or court. When you walk off, walk off with no regrets and know you did the best you could. Lay it all out there. Don’t just play for yourself, play for your teammates standing beside you and your coaches who care and spend so much time trying to make their team better. Lastly, have fun. Don’t take playing sports so seriously. Yes you should take sports seriously but if you take it too seriously to where you’re not having fun remind yourself why you’re playing it. You’re playing the sport because you fell in love with it, so have fun. When you are having fun you will do your best because you are enjoying what you’re doing. Don’t play just to play, play with a purpose and set goals for yourself and your team.
If you have played your last high school game, what is something that you will remember for the rest of your life?
I will always remember the friendships and bonds I have formed. Playing sports has brought some amazing people in my life and has helped gain many friendships that I will cherish forever. I will never forget all the amazing memories I have made with some of my coaches and best friends through playing sports. Playing sports has given me so much and I am extremely grateful for all the memories and people I have met. I wouldn’t trade my time spent playing sports for anything.
Feel free to add anything else that people would like to know about your time playing sports or your future plans.
I want to thank anyone who has ever been a part of or who has made an impact on me during my time playing sports. I want to say thank you to all of my coaches, teammates, the people who have helped guide me, supported me and those you have pushed me. I am extremely grateful for all of those who have entered my life through sports and all the memories that have been made. They will be cherished forever! I plan to attend either North Carolina Wesleyan or William Peace University to continue my softball career.
Thank you again, Logan Ayers, for taking the time to be one of our 2020 senior spotlights. We wish you well on all of your future endeavors.
Attention 2020 Seniors: If you are interested in possibly being our next spotlight, please inbox us with a picture of you (head shot or action shot, or multiple pictures), your name, school, sports/positions played and answers to some or all of the questions above.
Note: All photographs have been contributed to this post from the senior’s family.
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