As fall makes its presence known on the Plains, Auburn softball begins a new chapter in its storied legacy. A group of nine freshmen join the squad, ushering in a new spin and new attitude for the Tigers. As the semester winds down, we'll introduce one of the new members of the Auburn softball family that is already making an immediate impact. Lacing up her cleats is Riley McNemar, an infielder from Galena, Kansas.
Q: What made Auburn stand out from other schools in your recruiting process?
McNemar: I have wanted to go to Auburn since I was nine years old, so I didn't need too much convincing. The first time I visited campus, I just knew it was home. It all clicked for me when I got to tour the campus with my parents on my unofficial visit. It was too pretty not to come back.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
McNemar: Getting runner-up at state my freshman year of high school. It was really awesome getting to play with my older sister, who was a senior at the time. My hometown's high school softball team had never made it past the first round of state, so it was really awesome making history with my best friends.
Q: Outside of softball, what are some of your hobbies?
McNemar: I like to hang out with friends and family, go on drives, shopping and watching movies - especially scary ones.
Q: What is an interesting fact about yourself that the Auburn family should know?
McNemar: I have a black belt in Taekwondo and am trained in multiple martial arts.
Q: What are your athletic goals for this year?
McNemar: I'm focusing on getting stronger, faster and contributing to the team in any way that I can. I am training harder than I ever have before and leaving everything out on the field.
Q: What are your academic goals for this year?
McNemar: Keeping a good enough GPA throughout the year to stay in the honors college along with making the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Q: What is your major and what do you plan to do with it?
McNemar: Biomedical sciences on the pre-dental track. I plan to go to dental school after college and open a practice close to my hometown.
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three teammates would you bring with you?
McNemar: Abbey Smith because she is very smart and could figure out how to get us home. Jessie Blaine because she is super strong and resourceful. Rose Roach because she's a mixture of the two.
Q: How would you describe your perfect pizza?
McNemar: That's a hard one. Probably a plain pepperoni with mountain crust. You have to have a side of honey to dip the crust in!
Q: How is Auburn different from your hometown?
McNemar: Auburn is very different from my hometown in many ways. My hometown has under 3,000 people, and has one stoplight downtown. There were under 80 students in my graduating class and about only two to three sit-down restaurants, depending on the time of year. Now, there are more stoplights right outside my dorm than in my whole hometown.
Q: What jersey number will you wear, and does that hold any special meaning to you?
McNemar: I wear No. 18. I chose it because it's my mom's birthday, so it means a lot to me. It was also the number that my older sister wore her first year of college softball.
Q: What Auburn tradition are you most excited to experience?
McNemar: Definitely rolling Toomer's Corner after winning an SEC game. It's a tradition that everyone knows about. I have family and friends asking me to send pictures because it's so cool and unique.
Q: What makes Auburn softball special?
McNemar: Auburn softball is like no other team and culture that I have been a part of before. This team really is like a family, always pushing each other to be better in every aspect of life, and we always have a good time while doing it.