Aniya Sims has been playing softball since she was four years old. Although she played soccer, hockey and basketball as well, her love of softball led to her focus on the sport.

The love for the sport earned her a scholarship to play softball at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. She signed the letter of intent in front of friends and family on February 19.

She considered other schools but decided upon Bethel. “Bethel is close to home,” she said. “I love their program, and the coach and team made me feel comfortable.”

In middle school, Sims decided she wanted to play softball in college. Besides going to college camps, she also played travel softball. She credits that experience for making her a better player.

“It exposed me to higher levels of competition,” she said. “My travel ball coaches helped me by teaching me how to push myself, work harder than normal and just helped me grow to be a good person in general.”

She also gives credit to her father and God for her success. Her father has been her mentor throughout her life.

“Whenever the advice my dad gave me gets flushed to the back of my head, God comes in and helps me remember everything is going to be okay,” she said.

At Bethel, she plans on majoring in psychology or biology. Her career goal is to become a veterinary assistant.

“I’m interested in how and why the brain works the way it does,” she said. “I want to understand why humans may act in certain ways.”

On signing day, her goal of becoming a college softball player came to reality. For some, that moment may have led to tears, but not Sims.

“My emotions honestly were okay,” she said. “The only thing I was nervous about was when I had to talk and give a speech.”