FULTON, Mo. - Dominating on both the hardwood and the diamond, Ashland, Mo., native Mariah Prince has set the standard for what it means to be a collegiate athlete. Her unwavering dedication to push herself and those around her have propelled her teams to success.
As her senior year of high school came to a close, Prince was uncertain about her future in athletics — and even in higher education. College sports were not part of the original plan.
"I wasn't even looking to play sports after high school. I was just going to go to community college and get my education, since I wasn't the biggest fan of school. The old me's basketball coach for Woods, Coach Belt, got in contact with former coach Terry Nash, drawing me closer to William Woods. With my senior year wrapping up, it really hit me that I wasn't going to play ever again, which led me to talk to coach Nash and coach Gastineau with the softball team, and I got offered by both."
A standout athlete at Southern Boone High School, Prince had built a deep passion for both basketball and softball. William Woods University offered her the opportunity to pursue both — an opportunity she embraced, knowing it would come with unique challenges.
"My freshman year was hard, but as time went on, it became more natural. Both coaches saw how much I had on my plate and were both able to be flexible with my time. So, when it's basketball season, it's strictly basketball season; when it's softball season, I don't touch a basketball ever. The hardest part is the fall, with weights, two practices, and going to class, but I've gotten used to it."
With a hectic lifestyle and participation in two very different sports, getting into the zone on game day requires unique preparation for Prince — but she has it down to a science, right down to her go-to pregame snack.
"I'm big on look good, feel good, play good mentality. With that, I try to get ready an hour and a half before games, depending on my classes, so I can really get my mind ready for the game, as well as my hair and makeup. I always have an energy drink with me. A new thing for me this year is eating a yogurt parfait before each game. In the past, I've eaten popcorn before basketball games, but I've drawn away from that this year, and I'm not sure why. I might have to bring that back."
Despite her success, Prince acknowledges that slumps are an unavoidable part of athletics. How she handles them, however, reflects her maturity and understanding of the game.
"I don't really shoot in basketball. I'm more known for my defense, so I don't really get into slumps there. Softball is a little different for me, cause if I get into a hitting slump, my speed allows me to get on base with bunts. But other than that, I feel like if you're in a slump for softball, you shouldn't overwork yourself and make the problem worse. Rather, going back to the basics and doing what you know works. So, I like to stick to what I know, rather than trying to change everything up with my swing."
As mentioned above, Prince is an exceptional defensive player on the basketball court. Just this month, she recorded a triple-double against Heart of America opponent Park University, where she tallied 22 points, 10 steals, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots. That performance was good enough for a Heart Defensive Player of the Week Honor, as well as a national award in NAIA Defensive Player of the Week Honors.
"I was shocked I even got it. It was a big deal for me, because for the past three years, I felt like we've always been overlooked for our accomplishments. So, when we went to the end-of-the-year awards ceremony, only two people were getting awards, while the rest of my team got nothing. I feel that I finally did something that can put The Woods and the women's basketball program in the national conversation again. It really showed me that they pay attention to these smaller teams and not all the big names. I've been working hard for this opportunity, and hopefully I can keep building on that for later in the season."
With year-round competition and playing at the highest level, Mariah's motivation is what keeps her going during those long days in practice and in the weight room. That motivation is her siblings, who look up to their big sister as a role model.
"My siblings — well, they are my everything. Every game I play is for them, because they look up to me. They want to copy me and have even started using my same number in their sports to try to be like me. I always show up for them, and they love learning from their big sister. They look up to me as a role model, so I play for them, I play for my family."
Mariah has five siblings: two younger siblings, a brother and sister, who are following in her sports footsteps. She also has three older sisters who participated in track and soccer.
Prince mentions that her parents are her other biggest supporters, with all the help they have given along the way. "They're the reason I got here. I could not have done it without their help. They're paying for my school, after the scholarships, but they show up to every game they can. They get me whatever I need, whenever I need it, so I can be successful in my sport and in life."
That support extends beyond her family. At William Woods, Prince has found a community willing to meet her where she is.
"The professors have been great with me," she said. "They've been flexible and supportive. The coaches understand when my body needs rest and make sure I'm healthy all year."
When it comes to the future for Mariah after college, she plans to just see where the wind goes, as she mentioned the thought of coaching at her alma mater, Southern Boone.
With her final thoughts, Mariah wanted to add a fact that most people might not know just from looking at the stat sheet.
"I'm a huge outdoors person. Whenever I'm free on the weekends, I'll go on walks with my mom and my dogs. I'll go outside whenever I get the chance, and I'm actually pretty good at football. I'm either going for a walk or helping my siblings get better at their sports, like playing catch with my little brother."
Prince and William Woods women's basketball resume their season on January 3rd, when they host a new conference opponent in Benedictine College inside Anderson Arena.
