In the Pac-12, being a role model goes beyond the floor, court or field.

As the nation celebrates National Girls & Women in Sports Day Wednesday, we asked six Pac-12 student-athletes to talk about their experience growing not just in sports, but in life, and how playing at the college level has empowered them to become solid role models for others.

Ali Aguilar, Washington softball

 

We're celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day this week by hearing from our student-athletes about the impact sport has had on them and what they hope to pass along to others! First up, @uwsoftball's Ali Aguilar. #NGWSD "When I was younger, my dad always wanted me to play on all-boys teams so that I could learn to compete and be aggressive at a high level. However, as I grew apart from that early in my childhood, I realized how skilled and competitive girls and women are. Especially now in collegiate athletics, I'm competing with the best of the best and I've grown to become a confident person as well as a female athlete. It's something special to be able to compete alongside strong, athletic women and I'm thankful for all the women who have paved the way for me to be able to have this college-athlete experience."

A photo posted by Pac-12 Conference (@pac12conference) on Jan 30, 2017 at 12:05pm PST

Lanesha Reagan, Oregon State volleyball

 

Lanesha Reagan, @beavervball | #NGWSD | "College has helped me in so many ways. It's hard for me to put into words how impactful it has been on my family and me. Without college volleyball, I don't think I'd be able to be at @oregonstate. I hope that girls who look up to me can be more active so they can get the opportunity to play college sports. I've made my best friends through club and high school sports. Other than getting the amazing opportunity to get my school paid for, meeting some of my friends on the teams I've been on has been the best part of staying active and getting into sports."

A photo posted by Pac-12 Conference (@pac12conference) on Jan 30, 2017 at 7:44pm PST

Gabrielle Maurice, UCLA softball

 

Gabrielle Maurice, @uclasoftball | #NGWSD | "Competing in softball throughout my life has taught me how to react to failure. The diversity that softball has given me has molded me into the person I am today. It has also given me an outlet to express myself in other ways I couldn't, and I hope to keep spreading the sport among the youth in efforts to mold young women today."

A photo posted by Pac-12 Conference (@pac12conference) on Jan 31, 2017 at 9:30am PST

Mo Mosley, California women's basketball

 

Mo Mosley, @calwbball | #NGWSD | "Playing sports has allowed me the platform to not only reach my full potential, but to reach many others who look like me. Because of sports, I am my truest self today and always, so that the pathway for tomorrow is that much brighter."

A photo posted by Pac-12 Conference (@pac12conference) on Jan 31, 2017 at 8:00pm PST

Anika Apostalon, USC women's swimming

 

@anika_apostalon, @uscswim | #NGWSD | "It is easy to confine student-athletes to labels. It's easy to do that to anyone, really. But collegiate athletics have show men that we have never been, or will be, that simple. "We are a family. The women I have fought for, lived, cried and celebrated with are also daughters, sisters and friends. Warriors. They are compassionate, intelligent and whole-heartedly determined forces to be reckoned with. "Collegiate athletics have emphasized to me that my role is to support others in our fight for our goals. So, this is for the women and girls reading this. For the men and boys, you are just as involved. For us as athletes, you are our inspiration to be better, but you have a chance to be your biggest fan. Be better than us. Be more driven, be more compassionate. Be more than what others have defined you to be."

A photo posted by Pac-12 Conference (@pac12conference) on Feb 1, 2017 at 11:42am PST

Michelle Floyd, Arizona softball

 

Michelle Floyd, @ua_softball | #NGWSD | "Softball has given me opportunities that I would have never imagined possible. I now have the confidence to push myself further and reach goals I have dreamt of since I was a little girl."

A photo posted by Pac-12 Conference (@pac12conference) on Feb 1, 2017 at 1:04pm PST