FARMINGTON — Payton Wiedner looks back on her recently completed high school softball career with fond memories and proud accomplishment.
Wiedner, a four-time all-conference selection and all-state pick this season, was the clear senior in charge for Farmington. With that came the responsibility of carrying on one of the top softball traditions in the state.
With Wiedner front and center, the Lady Cardinals didn’t miss a beat, going undefeated in 4A-1 Conference play and winning the district tournament in a successful 22-8 campaign.
Wiedner had a big hand in the success. Whether it was her bat sparking the Farmington offense or her glove and arm out in the field, she finished her Lady Cardinals career with a bang.
For her efforts, she has been named All-NWA Media Softball Player of the Year.
Profile
Payton Wiedner
SCHOOL: Farmington
CLASS: Senior
POSITION: Infielder
NOTABLE: Named all-conference and all-state. … Selected for the AHSCA All-Star Game. … Hit .396 with 30 RBIs, 12 doubles and 33 runs scored. … Finished the season with a .472 on-base percentage, a .527 slugging percentage and was 18 of 20 on stolen base attempts. … Has signed with Crowder College.
“Definitely I felt like this year I had to step up more as a leader on the team, being a senior and all,” Wiedner said. “But I also think this group of juniors that will be coming back are great leaders as well for next season.”
Farmington had plenty of pop in the lineup this spring, whether it was fellow all-state selection Oakley Sisemore, juniors Lindsey Blackburn and Jordin Smith or sophomore Brooke Larkin.
But Wiedner brought a combination of hitting, speed and defense at shortstop that made perhaps the biggest impact.
“Her knowledge of the game is outstanding,” Farmington coach Randy Osnes said. “From the time she first came into the program to her senior year, she’s grown and shown leadership.
“She has an outstanding arm, and her instincts for the game are extremely good. She’s a young lady who can play third base with her arm or could even play some in the outfield.”
Wiedner hit .396 with 12 doubles, 30 RBIs and 33 runs scored while hitting mostly out of the No. 2 hole in the lineup. Her 18 stolen bases was a team high, and she also finished with a .472 on-base percentage.
“Obviously I want to do everything great,” Wiedner said. “One of my goals was to hit .500, and I didn’t do that. But I still feel like I got better this season and I helped the team get better.
“Overall we had a pretty good year, I think.”
For Wiedner, it capped an outstanding career. A four-year letterwinner, she leaves Farmington headed for Crowder College to continue her softball future.
“One of the best moments for me, thinking back on my high school career, was of course winning a state championship (in 2011),” she said. “Of course, that’s the highlight. And for me personally making all-state was a big deal because I always wanted to do that.
“Coming into my senior year, one of my goals was to not only make myself better but also help make the younger players better. I remember back when I was a younger player looking up to some of the seniors like they were all-stars. So I wanted to make sure I helped the younger players like the seniors before me had helped me.”