Hello Fighting Illini softball fans!

My name is Leigh Farina and I am a sophomore infielder from Rolling Meadows, Ill. I am majoring in kinesiology and I am looking to pursue a career in occupational therapy.

I hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying the small heat wave that we are currently experiencing here in November!! It is certainly nothing any of us are complaining about as we are still practicing outside in our individual sessions. It has been great to see the amount of work we are able to get done in the short 40-to-60 minute sessions that we have three times a week. Not only are we busting our butts on the field, but in conditioning and weights as well. It is that time of the year where we are lifting heavy to prepare for our max out in back squats. We are pushing it harder than ever in conditioning as the number of reps increases and rest time in between decreases. It is very noticeable that everyone is pushing themselves passed their limits to see what they are capable of doing at this point in the year. It is crazy to see the strides that we have made as a team this fall.

This week one of our hometown freshman, Taylor Edwards, is hosting a team dinner at her house for all 23 of us. Let's just say with our team, there probably will not be any leftovers….

It's amazing to be able to come together as a team outside of the field to hang out and make memories together. Finally, I would like to add that the new coaching staff has done an outstanding job coming in here and leading us in the right direction to be successful this upcoming season. We are all super pumped to get back on the field this spring and see the new heights we are able to reach as a team and program.

I hope to see you all out at a game this season! Go Illini!