You know you’re passionate about life when you write a word in sharpie on your wrist to keep you motivated!  That’s the case for Jenna Lilley from Hoover High in North Canton, Ohio, who is one of the top high school and club softball players in the nation.  She has helped Hoover win three straight state championships with the 2013 team compiling a 32-0 mark.  The lefty hit .697 as a junior and was named the Ohio State Player of the Year and a MaxPreps All-American.  The Buckeye State star has committed to the Univ. of Oregon and is also excellent in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA. 

In this blog, Jenna talks about how she structures her day with a detailed agenda that keeps her dialed in on what she needs to do to excel in school and in softball…

Click here to read Jenna’s earlier blogs and those from our other standout players!

Learn more about Jenna and her athletic family in this piece by her mother, Debbie, called A parent’s perspective: softball sacrifices

See our video interview of mother and daughter shot this summer at PGF

 

***

This has been an exciting week for me!

I began working out and practicing softball again. The three-week break was a nice time to reenergize myself in preparation to get ready for this off season. My mornings start at 5:30 and I go nonstop the whole day until bedtime, which I try to get to at 10 pm. I think sleep is as important as the training itself if you want to give 100 percent.

As schoolwork starts to flow in more heavily and practices start to multiply, it’s quite a challenge to keep my head above water. I do my best to accomplish everything I have on my agenda each day.

I believe one thing that has helped me significantly with balancing school, softball, and time is writing down a minute-to-minute plan for each day. It gives me direction and keeps me on track to make the best use out of my time.

Every night before bed, I also plan out my meals for the next day. I pack my lunch, water bottles and protein shakes to fuel me through the day.

I start every morning by waking up at 5:30 following with a 6 am workout before I head into school. I love the feeling of conquering a workout to start my day. Working out before school really wakes me up and makes me more alert for the school day.

I head to school at 8 am and leave at 2 pm I come home, grab an after school snack, and start practicing softball at around 3. I will hit for an hour and a half to two hours, depending on how I feel in my swing.

I love going to the field and getting good cuts in. I then finish up with some defensive work.  It’s now 6:00 pm and most days (if I don’t have too much homework) I give a lesson or two to some younger players.

It’s 8:00 pm and time to eat dinner, shower and complete my homework. After this day is almost completed, I plan and mentally prepare myself for the next day.

I love taking life day by day and “living in the moment.” If they say “do what you love” and every day I get to work out, hit, field, eat nutritiously and learn, what more could I ask for? I am truly fortunate.

I may be extremely busy every day, but the bottom line is I truly enjoy what I do and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Every morning I write the word “COMMIT” in sharpie on my wrist. This reminds me to commit to my body, myself, my well being, and above all, my plan in every way possible TODAY.

I am going to continue to take life day by day and commit to being the best me I can be and conquer what the day has to bring me. Win The Day!

As always,

Jenna