University of Georgia Athletics
A Quick Chat With ... Ciara Bryan
April 27, 2017 | Softball
By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
Ciara Bryan is in the final days of her freshman year. Spring semester wraps up next week and the Georgia softball team has six regular-season games on the schedule, starting with a three-game series at home this weekend against South Carolina.
It has (pardon the pun) been an educational first year of college for the talented centerfield, who has started 38 games and is third on the team with a .387 batting average. On and off the field, the Covington, Ga., native said, there has been a lot to experience and a lot of growth.
Bryan sat down for a quick chat Thursday morning after batting practice. She talked about her first year in Athens, gymnastics, naps and much more. Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: You're almost done with spring semester, your first year in college -- so what has the experience been like?
Bryan: I didn't really know what to expect. Everybody always gives good tips on what to expect, but really, I think you've got to experience being a college freshman on my own. I had a great time, I enjoyed it; just got to focus on academics because it's the No. 1 thing. We've got finals next week and I think I'm prepared.
Frierson: Did any part of it surprise you, in a good or challenging way?
Bryan: I definitely think I was challenged a lot with softball, and also the workouts. I think the workouts were very challenging.
Frierson: What's the most creative thing you do? Or what's something creative you wish you could do?
Bryan: (Thinks for about 10 seconds) I don't know, I color. I color pretty well. I don't have enough time to do that anymore, just because of the season and games all the time.
Oh, wait, now we might because school's almost over.
Frierson: You mean coloring, as in coloring books?
Bryan: Yeah.
Frierson: Do you know Lorenzo Carter, the football player? He's really into coloring books. (As is volleyball's Megan Spencer.)
Bryan: It's very relaxing.
Frierson: Who's the funniest person on the team?
Bryan: We have a few funny people on the team. [Maeve McGuire] is quite funny and, oh, the twins [Karlie and Kaylie Harding] are funny. I think I'm a little funny. I don't know if I make jokes, but I'm a little funny.
I would definitely say the twins, Maeve and myself.
Frierson: If you could eat anything every day for the rest of your life, without worrying about cost or your health, what would it be?
Bryan: I've gotten away from eating candy a lot; ooh, yeah, like chocolates and stuff, but I also like sour and fruity candy. I like wings and french fries -- I don't get tired of that ever, so probably hot wings and french fries.
Frierson: Where is the best or most interesting place softball has taken you?
Bryan: I've been to Colorado and California and I don't know which one I like best, because I like both of them equally. I had a great time in both places. The scenery in Colorado was really abstract, was really nice. It looked like the mountains were right there; we were on the softball field and I'm in the outfield looking at the mountains.
Frierson: What's the best new thing, at least new to you, that has entered your life in 2017?
Bryan: Just being able to form a very close-knit bond with the team and being able to call my teammates my sisters, and knowing that I can go to anybody on the team and feel comfortable and confident that I can talk to them about anything. Just establishing a great relationship and having a best friend in [Justice Milz].
Frierson: What's one thing you've learned about yourself since you got to Athens?
Bryan: That a lot of challenges that we face, and that I faced, can be seen as a mental challenge. It may be hard physically, but it's very mental and you have to be strong-minded. I think I've grown in that area, to have a strong mind and not be weak-minded.
I now know that I can get through a lot of things that I probably didn't think that I could get through.
Frierson: If you could play any other sport for Georgia what would it be? And that's assuming you could be good enough to do it at Georgia.
Bryan: I would be a gymnast. I can tumble; I've always been a cheerleader -- I stopped cheering once I got to college.
Frierson: You think maybe your floor routine would be pretty strong?
Bryan: Yes. (Laughs) I would have great music and would please the crowd.
Frierson: What about the beam? I know it terrifies me.
Bryan: It does look a little nerve-wracking. If I worked hard at it, I'm pretty sure I could do a good job.
Frierson: Being the athlete you are, I would think the vault could be something you'd do well.
Bryan: I've never put much thought into it because I've always liked floor and the bars, but the vault I think I could get pretty good at, too. You're building up all that speed and once you do your flip -- I think I would get good height.
Frierson: What's something from your childhood that you really miss?
Bryan: I would say, really, nap time. (Laughs) When I was younger I took advantage of it, because I didn't want to sleep. I would be up doing who knows what. But now, all I want to do is sleep, but I just can't find enough time in the day to get my eight hours in.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
