Kiera Daniel, an incoming senior at Warrenton High School has proven to be an asset to the softball team ever since she stepped foot onto the field her freshman year. Daniel has played shortstop at the varsity level since her freshman year. In her junior year, she made 37 runs and broke two school records for number of stolen bases and stolen bases per game. With 44 bases stolen, Daniel hopes to achieve 50 stolen bases in her final high school season. In addition to breaking school records, Daniel was also named to the GAC North first team and Class 4 all-state first team her junior year. 

Club team: St. Louis Comets 

Favorite professional sports team: Miami Dolphins

Favorite type of food: Italian food

Favorite subject/class: Marketing

Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy 

Favorite animal: Giraffes 

Dream vacation spot: Iceland 

How long have you been playing softball and how did you get involved with the sport?

“I’ve been playing for around six years. In middle school, both of the high school coaches ran our feeder team and I was interested in playing because my soccer team had just disbanded. I wanted to try another sport and the middle school was having tryouts so I went.” 

Do you have any pre game rituals or superstitions? 

“I never step on the line and if I see other people step on the line, I kiss my hand and touch the line to make sure that it’s okay.”

What is your favorite part about playing softball?

“The community. All the people that I’ve met and all the girls that I played with. We’re all there to do the same thing, but the different personalities and all the connections that I’ve made are really cool.”

What goals do you have for the upcoming season?

“One of my biggest goals is to be there for my team. Not just physically but mentally. We have a lack of pitching so being there for the younger classmen and the ones who have to play varsity for the first time because it can be really stressful. I just want to be there for them if they need someone to talk to or for anything.” 

What differences have you noticed in your game from your freshman year to now?

“I’m definitely more confident. I was not confident coming into my freshmen year. I’m also mentally stronger. My freshman year if I made a mistake it would stay with me for a very long time, but now I’ve just learned to get through it and continue with the game. Also, I definitely have grown physically so I’m not as clumsy.” 

Did you ever expect to break not one, but two school records?

“If you asked me my freshmen year, I definitely would not have expected that. Especially because my sophomore year, I had eight stolen bases the whole season, so I just never held myself at a high standard to even think about breaking a school record. I was just like I’m never going to get there and then it happened and it was really cool.”

What would be your ideal number of stolen bases by the end of your senior season?

“I want to hit 50. Obviously, I want to hit more than 50, but I definitely think I can get on base more because I’m smarter now than I was last year.”

What goes through your head when you’re about to steal a base?

“It’s definitely nerve racking because the catchers are just crazy. Girls are getting faster, so the catchers are getting stronger and faster. I just put my head down and run and it’s scary but I just go.” 

What are your post-grad plans?

“Earlier this year, I committed to Jefferson College. I love the coach and I love the way he runs the program, so I’m really excited about it.” 

What is your intended major?

“I want to major in business marketing.”