For years, Kaija Aikman blocked out negativity.
She never forgot what people used to say. She was one of the tallest girls in elementary school, so pitching seemed right even though it didn't always come easy. Before high school, some batters were afraid to face Aikman's strong but often inaccurate arm.
Hearing people say she couldn't possibly be good enough for high school motivated her. As a senior, she threw 230 strikeouts in 172 innings, leading Wapahani to a sectional championship and earning The Star Press' Softball Athlete of the Year honor.
"When I started travel ball, I had coaches tell me that I would never amount to anything, that I wasn't good enough to play," Aikman said.