In honor of the 40th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Northwest Conference proudly celebrates its exceptional female student-athletes. We invited current NWC student-athletes to share reflections on the women who inspire them, the advice they would offer young girls pursuing sports, the importance of athletics in their lives, and the ways sports have shaped them both personally and athletically.
Tinley Taylor I George Fox | JR | Softball | Yakima, Wash. | East Valley
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
To compete at the college level is a dream come true. Every day I get to follow in the footsteps of so many strong and courageous women while living out my childhood dreams. Being a woman in sports means pushing your limits, learning to lead, and finding confidence within yourself while sharing it with others. I'm proud to be a part of an empowering community that continues to break boundaries every year.
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
One of the biggest ways sports has changed my life is by giving me lifelong friendships. Being on a team means your friends push you to be better and support you at your lowest, and the connections I've made leading to and throughout college have shaped me into who I am today.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
My advice to girls would be to push outside of their comfort zone and believe in themselves. Confidence is formed through adversity, and the greatest opportunities often arise from the chances that initially feel uncomfortable. Stepping into the unknown is where the truly unforgettable experiences begin.
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
A woman in sports that I greatly admire is Sis Bates. Her infectious energy on and off the field along with her commitment to her craft has set the bar for softball leadership. Everyday her passion for the game shines through and inspires me as a college athlete.
Susanna Anand I Lewis & Clark | SR | Tennis | Portland, Ore. | Corbett
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
It means so much to be a woman in sports and compete at the collegiate level. I'm very grateful to be able to train to be a great athlete and inspire other young girls to strive to compete in College Sports!
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
I have made such amazing friends because of my involvement in sports. I never would have met them if I never competed in college sports!
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
My advice for young girls getting involved in sports, would be to never give up and always train as hard as you can, since eventually your hard work will pay off when you compete!
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
I highly look up to Serena and Venus Williams! Knowing their background and how they managed to crack the world of professional tennis is truly inspiring to young girls that no matter where you come from or how you start, if you work hard enough you can make an impact in your sport!
Ella Koebelin | Linfield | SR | Basketball | Bremerton, Wash. | Klahowya
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
Being a woman in sports and competing at the collegiate level means the world to me. In a space that hasn’t always made room for women, being able to step on the court, compete, and take up space feels incredibly powerful. It’s a chance to challenge expectations, break barriers, and continually prove, to myself most of all, that I belong here. I don’t take this opportunity lightly. I’m deeply grateful to compete at this level and to be surrounded by strong, inspiring women who support one another and push each other to be better every day.
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
One of the biggest areas of my life that has been positively impacted by sports is the relationships I’ve built and the person I’ve grown into because of them. Through athletics, I’ve developed soft skills that extend far beyond the court. Including skills like empathy, gratitude, discipline, punctuality, problem-solving, leadership and many more. Sports have pushed me to work harder than I ever thought I could and to show up consistently, even on the hard days. Just as meaningful is being part of a community of athletes and coaches who value these same qualities and take pride in being part of something bigger than themselves. Those connections and lessons will stay with me long after my playing career ends.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
My biggest piece of advice to girls getting involved in sports is to take up space and own it. Say yes to opportunities that challenge you and put you in rooms where you’re pushed to grow, supported by teammates, and celebrated for who you are and what you bring to the table. Give your sport everything you have and don’t be afraid to fail along the way. The worst that can happen is you lose; but the best that can happen is you discover your strength, build confidence, and gain lessons and relationships that will shape who you become long after the sport ends.
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
A woman in sports I look up to is Naomi Osaka. I admire her not just for her talent on the court, but for her courage to speak up about her mental health and set boundaries, even when it wasn’t easy. Seeing her be honest about her struggles and still perform at such a high level is really inspiring to me. She reminds me that being strong doesn’t mean being perfect, it means having the courage to take care of yourself while still chasing your goals.
Ally Hammond | Pacific | SR | Track & Field | Forest Grove, Ore. | Forest Grove
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
To me, being a woman in sports and competing at the collegiate level shows strength and resilience. It provides an opportunity for us women to prove we are capable of doing hard things and capable of succeeding in male dominated fields. Sports give me the chance to show everyone that I’m just as valuable in the field of athletics as my male counterparts.
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
My confidence and overall wellbeing have been positively impacted because of my involvement in sports. Participating in sports has helped me to believe in myself and take pride in the accomplishments I have achieved. They provide me with an escape from the stresses of everyday life, and a chance to let go and put my energy into something else.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
Focus on the things you can control. You can’t always control the situation, but you can control your effort. If you’ve given your maximum effort, then there’s no reason to be upset with the outcome, you’ve already done something great. Go do, and be, everything they told you you couldn’t.
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. She’s a professional track athlete with the world record in the 400m hurdles. She’s inspirational because no matter how many accolades she gets, she always stays humble, stays focused and continues to work hard. She never forgets to thank the people around her who helped her achieve her accomplishments.
Emelia Maza | Pacific Lutheran | JR | Softball | Los Angeles, Calif. | Venice
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
To me, being a woman in collegiate sports means carrying more than just my own goals. I represent the women who didn’t get the same opportunities, the young girl watching from the stands, and the teammates beside me who are grinding just as hard. The discipline, time management, and mental toughness it takes to be a collegiate athlete shapes me far beyond the field.
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
Being involved in sports has helped me discover my passion for sport performance and becoming a strength and conditioning coach. It has helped me build a platform to lead, to inspire, and to redefine what strong, capable, and successful looks like. My goals are to work in sport performance and coach all athletes to be the most successful versions of themselves.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
I would tell girls getting involved in sports to be yourself! Be competitive, be vulnerable, be confident and be ready to learn. Being strong and powerful is beautiful, embrace it!
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
Ilona Maher is an olympic medalist rugby player. Not only does she inspire me because she is a high achieving elite athlete, but she also challenges stereotypes about femininity and athleticism.
Kyrstin Wilson | Puget Sound | SR | Track & Field | Lafayette, Calif. | Campolindo
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
To me, being a woman in sports and competing at the collegiate level means holding myself to the same standard as any athlete. It requires discipline and commitment to ensure I represent my school and team to the highest degree of my capabilities. Competing at this level has taught me the value of hard work and consistent dedication.
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
My involvement in sports has positively impacted many areas of my life. My confidence was built through consistent preparation rather than results and external validity alone. My Coach quickly became a mentor to me, helping facilitate an environment where preparation was expected every day, not rewarded only when results showed up. She creates an environment where it is safe to fail, allowing me to embrace the idea that failure is not only necessary but beneficial. Her consistent narrative of being proud of us when we succeed and believing in our capabilities and potential when we fail has been critical to this.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
If I were to advise girls getting involved in sports, I would tell them to focus on consistency over talent. I would tell them to value the process more than the results, which in turn produces better outcomes. You learn significantly more from the process of setting your goals high, whether you achieve them or not, than from settling in your comfort zone for easily attainable aspirations. I would encourage them not to be afraid to go all in on their goals, as the process of learning and failing is much more rewarding than limiting themselves.
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
A woman in sports that I look up to is Gabby Thomas. She is someone I hold in high regard because she prioritizes both her academic and athletic goals, proving that you don’t have to choose one over the other. I admire how she can be so confident while maintaining humility, given her impressive contributions and achievements as an athlete - something is to be said for having both confidence and ambition.
Amblessed Okemgbo | Whitworth | SR | Volleyball & Track & Field | Medical Lake, Wash. | Medical
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
Being a college athlete is honestly such an honorable feeling. Being part of the small percentage of girls who get to take that step from high school to college, not only as a student but also as an athlete, is truly incredible. It represents determination, sacrifice, and the willingness to make hard decisions, while also honoring the women who may not have had the opportunity to do the same. Simply being able to play sports is a blessing, and getting to do what others cannot is something I never take lightly. Because of that, I give all the glory to God whenever I step into a practice, a lift, or a competition.
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
One area of my life that has been positively impacted by my athletic career is my relationships with kids. Being involved in these sports has opened many doors for me to coach, counsel, and connect with young athletes. These experiences have helped shape what I want to study in school and shown me how my major can be used to support kids who are struggling mentally. Through sports, my interest has grown not only in athletics but also in understanding how the human mind works, especially when it comes to supporting others and building meaningful relationships.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
My advice to girls who are entering sports and want to be successful while still having fun is to avoid comparing their skills or experience to others and to focus on enjoying the process rather than the outcome. Fixating too much on results can cause you to lose sight of growth, while trusting the process builds a stronger mindset and makes the journey more enjoyable. There is no benefit in comparing yourself to others, especially those who may have started earlier than you. I love to put God in the center of my athletic career, and allowing myself to do that, lets any other distraction be put to rest and to only focus on what He has given me to do.
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
My favorite athlete is Valarie Allman because of her humility and strong work ethic. She is an incredible role model when it comes to trusting the process rather than focusing solely on results, which is especially important in discus throwing. Her mindset reflects the patience, discipline, and faith required to succeed both in sports and in life.
Andy Garcia | Whitman | SR | Lacrosse | Sammamish, Wash. | Eastlake
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
To me it has been the true meaning of empowerment- I have never felt like myself more than I have on a game day. It’s granted me the space to be someone I’m not usually allowed to be off the field, to feel like a dominating force and getting to hype my teammates up is an exhilarating feeling. In a broader sense, being a woman in sports at this level is a privilege I try not to take lightly. As DIII athletes we have a responsibility to each other - and ourselves- to put our all into the 4 years we get to play alongside our teammates and sisters. Women’s sports simply don’t have as many intermediate opportunities between collegiate and pro, the chance to play at such a competitive level after your time at school seems to just disappear unless you defy the odds. Thus I count myself lucky that I have been granted 4 more years to get to explore the parts of me that make me a more self assured and happy human being!
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
Almost every aspect of my life and personal development has been positively impacted by my involvement in sports, and particularly my blues lacrosse experience. I was a very shy kid with pretty intense ADHD, my whole life I’ve struggled with academics and organizational skills. Team sports provided me with a sense of responsibility, structure, and belonging I haven’t found anywhere else. Being part of a community that is working towards a goal bigger than oneself is how I was able to learn how to overcome my biggest challenges and greatest fears. As I have shifted into adulthood, my Blues Lax team has been my home and my respite, I love my girls more than I am able to express- this is a group of exceptional young women, and I am proud to serve them as their captain. Taking on that role of responsibility has been completely transformative, I have learned lessons I will carry with me for a lifetime- I have been pushed past my comfort zone and been granted the opportunity to grow as a leader, a friend, and a teammate- and for that I will be forever grateful to my coaches.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
Go into your endeavors with no fear, no judgement, and an attitude of confidence & humility. And having fun makes you a better athlete and teammate!
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
Coco Gauff is the first that comes to mind, she is such an exceptional young woman, so massively talented and unafraid to express the parts of her that make her human! She is a beast on the court and is a kind person outside of the public eye. I hope to be as strong and kind as someone like Coco who has faced so many challenges and yet maintains her character and confidence!
Abbey Staniec | Willamette | SR | Triathlon & Swimming | Stockton, Calif. | Lincoln
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports and to compete at the collegiate level?
Being a woman in sports at the collegiate level means getting the opportunity to learn and grow in a sport I love while also meeting it my best friends and gaining a support system to guide me through college and the rest of my life.
What is an area of your life that has been positively impacted because of your involvement in sports?
I have been afforded so many leadership opportunities from my involvement in athletics. From leadership within my team, to school and conference wide positions, I have been able to learn from so many other athletes and use that knowledge to make a positive impact on my community.
What advice would you give to girls getting involved in sports?
You belong on your team and in the space you take up. Be confident in your ability to be a strong athlete and role model for younger girls.
Who is a woman in sports that you look up to? What makes them so inspirational?
My former teammates, Ella Isaacson and Veronica Castille. They were the first athletes on Willamette’s Triathlon team and created a vibrant and supportive culture while also excelling athletically and academically.