STATESBORO - As the 2022-23 Georgia Southern rifle season begins to wind down, four seniors will be honored on Saturday after the UAB match for their careers in Statesboro. This week, GSEagles.com sat down with each of the four seniors and got to know them a little better. Up first is Anna Mayo.

Anna Mayo
Lawrenceville, Ga.
Parkview HS

Why did you choose Georgia Southern?
In addition to the rifle team, Georgia Southern had a few selling points for me. When I was applying to schools, I actually only applied to Georgia Southern! I was already enrolled in a community college near my house so I guess that was my backup plan. God knew where I needed to be and He definitely pushed me towards Georgia Southern. 

On top of that, my mom is a Georgia Southern Alum! I am so excited to join her and her best friend as an Alum. 

The final selling point for me was the campus. I fell in love with this campus - and Statesboro - as soon as I came onto the campus. 

What's your major and why did you choose it?
My major is human development and family studies with a focus in child life. I know that God put me on this earth to serve others. Once I learned about child life, I knew that I could show God's love through my work as a Child Life Specialist (CLS). As a CLS, I will be working in a hospital with children and families who are going through some of the toughest times of life. I will be there to provide healthy coping mechanisms, diagnosis education, and procedural support. Child Life is not a profession for the faint of heart. It is a profession that is dedicated to help families cope with the terrors of hospitals, and sometimes bereavement support. I am up for this task and I have been equipped with the tools so I will be able to help these families in these scary times. 

When will you graduate and what are your plans post-graduation?
I graduate in the Summer of 2023. After I graduate, I plan to come back to Georgia Southern! Well, as a Master's student. I am planning on attending graduate school to earn my Masters of Counseling Education. 

What's one thing you are thankful for that Georgia Southern rifle helped give you?
Georgia Southern rifle has given me some of my best friends. I have met the most amazing young women that push me to be better every single day. These girls have been there for my highest highs and my lowest lows. They have encouraged me through each step of college. 

I am also thankful for Athletes in Action because I have been able to build my relationship with Christ. 

What's been the coolest non-rifle thing you've done that coming to GS gave you the opportunity to do?
Georgia Southern wins in a double overtime against App State! "It is well with my soul!" 

This moment was incredible. It was my 21st birthday. My mom and I came down Saturday morning so we could watch the game. We were on the edge of our seats. Feeling the power of our student section cheering for Georgia Southern was surreal. There was so much pride felt in that moment and so much love for this school. 

For a recruit looking to come and shoot here, what would be your sales pitch to get them here?
Have you seen the campus? I mean, come on! It is beautiful! Especially during spring time when all of the flowers are blooming. 

On top of that, we have one of the best teams in the country. We are close with each other and push each other to be our absolute best. Our support staff is always there for us with customized workouts, rehabs for injuries and maintenance, and Soren and Abby who have taught me so many things in the year that they have been here. They have changed my mindset for shooting to push myself to be better every day. 

When you come back and watch a match in five years, what will you hope Coach Butler says about you to those team members:
I hope Soren shares how kind I am. That is one thing that I always try to show is kindness. It is something that is important to me to show kindness every day, to every person that I come across. 

What's your proudest accomplishment as a GS shooter in your time here?
My proudest accomplishment would be starting to shoot smallbore again in my senior year as a counter on the team. My freshman year, I wasn't able to shoot due to wrist pain and injuries. That summer, I had a wrist surgery that took longer than expected to recover. My second year, I only shot air rifle as I was recovering. Finally in my third year, I began training for smallbore. I knew that it was still going to be painful but my goal was to shoot a full match, including smallbore. I had to push myself in practice to be able to shoot competitively and bring my positions and mindset to the level where I needed to be. 

What's one memory from your time with GS rifle you will always carry with you?
I think one memory I will always have is our trip to Alaska. We competed against some of the top schools in the country and that was an exhilarating experience. 

While we were in Alaska, we got to do some of my bucket list items! We went to the hot springs, dog sledding, we saw the Northern Lights and we saw a moose! 

Looking back, what's one thing you would tell your freshman self?
I think I would tell myself to keep pushing. It doesn't get easier but you get tougher. Push through the pain and never let it define you. 
 
I have been battling carpal tunnel, tendinitis, and nerve damage in my left arm since I began shooting. It is extremely painful to shoot but I know that I am stronger than the pain. My uncle always told me, "pain is your friend!" That is what I tell myself when it is excruciating during matches and that's how I get through it! 

Favorite place to relax or study on campus?
I am really a home body and I love to spend time with my dogs. But, on campus, I love Sweetheart Circle. That is the first place that my mom took me when I came for my official visit! 

Favorite place to eat on campus?
I LOVE coffee so I would say Three Tree Coffee Roasters in the Library. 

Favorite GS tradition?
I have three favorite traditions. I can't pick just one. 

My first one is more of a superstition, but it is a GS superstition. It says that if you walk around Sweetheart Circle three times with the person you're dating then you'll spend the rest of your life together. Andrew and I have done this many times! 

My second favorite tradition is the yellow school buses that the football players ride in before games. I love that this started when the football program started and it has been continued all these years. When the football program was started, we did not have a way to transport our players. Bulloch County Schools made a deal with us: 2 buses for $2! We still use these buses for our games. 

Another favorite tradition is Freedom's Flight onto the field before each game. This always gives me chills. 

Favorite Coach Butler phrase or saying?
"LET'S GOOOOOOOOO" 
I always need that little boost of energy to get me going before practice or workouts! 

Georgia Southern takes on UAB on Saturday at the Shooting Sports Education Center in SoCon action. Call to the line is set for 8 a.m. with Senior Day following around 12:30 p.m.