Being a great softball player is one thing. Being a great softball player and a member of the National Shooting Team is another.

Meet Carson Saabye.

Carson started playing softball four years ago after joining Team Colorado Rawlings (now Team Colorado Prospect). Before softball, she played baseball.

Five years ago, she started shooting pistols.

"I started shooting about a year before I started playing softball. I really didn't want to go but there was a club they were doing to teach people how to shoot at the Olympic Center and my brother was in it. I wasn't very interested but my dad thought I should try it out. And when I got there something kind of clicked and I was like 'oh, this is where I'm meant to be.'"

To say the sport clicked is an understatement. In June of 2015 at the age of 13, Carson became the youngest member  of the National Shooting Team ever after taking bronze in Women's Air Pistol.

She has an equal love for softball and shooting and plans to keep it that way down the road.

"My plan as of right now is to follow my dream to compete in the Olympics for shooting--so I want to go to the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020. After that, my focus is going to be playing softball in college. That's another dream of mine."

Carson's next steps to reaching her Olympic goal include doing well in the Shooting World Championships in two years and earning a quota to enter the Olympic Trials. She is at the beginning of the recruiting process for softball, attending camps like the recent Florida State Winter Camp to check out schools, coaches, and players.

"I went to the Women's College World Series when I was 12. I had never seen a college game or pro game, not even on TV. I was a Colorado girl who had never been introduced to that level of play and never though about playing at level. And traveling out to see all of the talent like Sierra Romero and all of them play, it was a big deal to me to realize 'oh my gosh, look how much effort they put into it, look how much skill they have. Maybe, maybe someday I can be like them.'"

Carson Saabye

Grad Year: 2020

Position: MIF

Club Team: Team Colorado Prospect

High School: Palmer Ridge

What is your family like?

I have two brothers, one older, one younger. My older brother is probably my best friend in the whole world. My little brother is the funniest guy and the sweetest guy that you'd ever meet in your entire life. My mom and dad are both really really driven people who have always been really supportive. I know that no matter what happens school wise or sports wise that they will always be there and will always love me. The dedication it's taken them to support our family is insane. I really appreciate that.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My mom. I think that she's just my biggest role model right now. she's so kind and compassionate and smart--she's insanely smart. And we are very alike in a lot of ways. I just think that if I could grow up and be anything like her, it would be a success.

How would you say you and your mom are alike?

Our personalities and mannerisms are similar and how we react to things. The way we see the world is similar. But she is still way better than me.

How would your mom describe you?

To her, I'm probably an athlete and all of those things but she's always impressed when I can stand up for what I believe in and be strong outside of just the field. To her, I'm smart and athletic but hopefully she sees me as kind and someone who is assertive about her values and loyalty.

What are your core values?

Loyalty and trust are really big for me. To me, if I don't trust someone and I'm not loyal to them, I feel like I can't be open and be myself. If I trust someone, I will jump off a bridge and do anything for them.

Is there anything you have had to overcome to get to where you are now?

I lost confidence and had a lot of self doubt last year but was able to come back from it. I was then invited to go to the Select 30 Camp. To go and see some of those girls and how good they are and to ask them questions about recruiting and how they got where they are, I just realized 'Hey, I can compete with these girls and, if I work hard, I could be just as good as them.' So it's really just all about about how good I make myself."

How would your friends describe you?

I feel like I'm that person that, like I said, is loyal and trustworthy. I'm always the one behind the scenes cheering up my friends and picking them up in the dugout. I always take it upon myself to be that person who, you know, if you need to come to me and if you're worried or sad, I'll be there for you. And I think my friends recognize that.

What is your greatest strength on the field?

I think defensively, I have a lot of range on the field. I'm athletic and good on my feet. A lot of times I can reach balls and makes plays that other people can't.

Who are some of your favorite players?

Sierra Romero, Monica Abbott--it's so inspiring for a girl in softball to get a million dollar deal. I also love Kelly Kretschman--she's just a real inspiration. And pretty much any college player ever.

What do you plan on studying in college?

My dream after college is to become a coach and I would really love to be a strength trainer or personal trainer so something having to do with exercise science.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?

I very much believe that if I eat Panda Express before my games, I will do better than if I don't. I clean my cleats every single night. I always have this keychain my friend Izzy gave me on my bag. I don't know, just something about it reminds me of the people who believe in me at home.

What does it look like?

It's a little voodoo doll, it's red. She tried to explain to me what it meant but I didn't quite understand. To me it means, the people I trust and am loyal to are at home waiting for me to tell them how it went.

What do you order at Panda Express?

I always have to have orange chicken.

What is your favorite food?

Probably wantons. I love wantons. I really love wontons.

What kind of music do you like?

I am obsessed with Taylor Swift. I love everything she's written but I really like "teardrops on my guitar" and "speak now".

What is your dream vacation?

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii. All of my friends have been to Hawaii and they tried surfing and stuff like that and it looks cool.

Do you have any funny softball stories?

My mom and I were heading to practice one day and we were supposed to pick up my friend. So I told her we couldn't forget to pick her up. And then we were 45 minutes into the drive and realized we forgot her and had to go back.

Do you have any fears?

I don't like spiders, like most people. And sometimes I'm afraid my cows are going to trample me.

What is your favorite holiday?

Probably Christmas because it's the time that, no matter what, everyone is together in the same place. My immediate family is all in Colorado but we do so much traveling for sports and my dad travels a lot for work, so sometimes we don't know if we will be together on certain holidays and birthdays. But we will always be in the same place on Christmas.

What do you want for Christmas?

Well I already got what I wanted for christmas which was the FSU camp, which was awesome. But I also want some crew socks

And a Panda Express gift card?

Yes! And a panda express gift card!