“Softball is truly one of the greatest gifts life has given me. I learned how to overcome adversity and made friends and memories that will last a lifetime,” explains South Carolina State University commit, Ariana Bonilla.
Despite the high expectations set for her, Ariana (Rubi) decided to exceed them by committing to a Division 1 school for softball, planning to major in Political Science on a pre-law track.
Rubi received six offers to play softball at the collegiate level, ranging from JUCO to Division 1. One school, however, stood out to her: SCSU. She was recruited by their coach at a showcase in Asheville, North Carolina.
Shortly after she decided to visit the school, and right when she stepped on campus, she immediately fell in love with the school, because of how welcoming and family-oriented it was. Captivated by the electric energy of the campus and athletics department, as well as the support she felt, whether it was from speaking to the head coach, to speaking to her future teammates. It was a feeling that she would never forget.
While growing up watching her sister play softball, Rubi wanted to be just as talented as her. She then started playing softball at a young age because of her sister and never let go of it.
As she stepped on the field for the first time, she had already felt the impact that the sport would have in her life.
Despite the doubt from coaches who made her feel unworthy due to her size and capabilities, she felt very discouraged, yet never gave up because of her love for the sport.
“You just have to use the negativity to fuel your fire and relight the spark that made you love it in the first place.” Bonilla speaks on the rough patches of her journey.
Navigating through her high school career, Rubi made sure to emphasize the student part of being a student-athlete. She completed eight AICE classes in high school to receive the AICE diploma and achieved a GPA of 4.8.
While being a part of the Lady Jags Varsity Softball team for all four years of high school, she was awarded the Impact Player of the Year and selected for the Second All-County Team her Junior year. Additionally, earning two district champion titles to her trophy case, she became captain her senior year.
“Receiving the Impact Player of the Year award and becoming a Captain of the team highlighted my high school career, making this kind of an impact on underclassmen, just as the upperclassmen did for myself is a very rewarding experience.”
As Rubi takes on her final season with the Lady Jags varsity softball team something has changed. Not just being a player but a Captain, her goal is making sure to make the most out of it. While being excited for what the future holds, for not only herself but the varsity Lady Jags softball team.
