WIEDNER BLOSSOMS AT FARMINGTON INTO ALL-STAR

FARMINGTON — Payton Wiedner has traveled the country playing summer softball tournaments but the 2013 Farmington graduate had one more stop to make before she wrapped up her high school career.

On Tuesday, Payton played in the 2013 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star soft- ball game hosted by the University of Central Arkansas at Conway. The honor consummated an outstanding career at Farmington. Payton is a four-time All-Conference selection for the Lady Cardinals and was part of Farmington’s 2011 state championship team. A versatile athlete, Payton has played second base, shortstop and third base,

which is where she began her senior season until an injury to fellow senior, Jessica Foster, mandated a move back to short stop.

Payton’s family relocated from Iowa to Farmington when she was in the fourth grade. Her best friend growing up has been fellow classmate, Shelby Barron.

“We have always been friends. We played on the same basketball team and cheered together when we were younger,” Payton said.

Payton has spent summer vacations traveling for softball and appreciates the backing of her parents, Jeff and Deanna Wiedner, of Farmington, who have made a way for her to compete in tournaments across the nation.

“Something that’s really been special to me is how my parents support me and how dedicated I am to softball. If I want to travel to Utah, they take me.”

Jeff Wiedner remembers Payton as a freshman winning a starting spot in the lineup and being super

“She’s such a dedicated young lady ... She’s very determined in whatever she wants to do.”

Deanna Wiedner

Payton Wiedner’s Mother

nervous about making a mistake, letting the team down and embarrassing herself. The family helped her work through the jitters and she became an All-Conference player as a rookie.

“That was a big moment for us. In her rookie year she made the varsity team and started,” said Deanna Wiedner. “She’s such a dedicated young lady. She wants to be number one. She’s very determined in whatever she wants to do.”

As a sophomore, Payton belted out 22 hits in 67 at-bats scoring 24 runs with 19 RBIs and again garnering All-Conference recognition. As a junior, Payton was second on the team in runs batted in with 30 and improved her batting average from .328 to .386 once more receiving All-Confer- ence honors. In her senior year, Payton again drove in 30 runs and achieved an on-base percentage of .472. with a batting average of .396 and was named All-Conference, All-State and All-Star.

Payton credits the Farmington coaches, Randy Osnes and Steve Morgan, both of whom were named Coach of the Year as head coach and assistant for Class 4A in 2013, with doing a good job of pushing the players to be the best they can be.

“They set high standards,” Payton said.

“She puts in extra work and puts in extra effort daily, not only on the field but also in the classroom,” Osnes said. “She’s a natural leader. She doesn’t have to talk a lot. By her work ethic and by her actions, she leads by example.”

After considering her options, Payton signed a letter of intent to play women’s college softball for Crowder College, at Neosho, Mo., on Feb. 19. In talking things over, Jeff told Payton the family would support whatever decision she made.

“In talking with the coach we knew there was opportunity but we told her we’d like time to go look elsewhere. I communicated to her, ‘You’ve got an opportunity some people haven’t had.’ At the end of the day, Payton’s decided to go to Crowder.”

Payton will join former teammates, Kala Crisp and Madison Barnes, plus former conference opponent, Cheyenne Nichols, of Gravette, at Crowder along with an influx of 2013 Farmington graduates, including Spencer Boudrey (baseball), Tiffany Rhame ( basketball), and Levi Strope (baseball), who are also receiving athletic scholarships.

Payton plans to pursue a business major, specializing in Human Resources.

The girl from Iowa, who blossomed into a four-time All- Conference player at Farmington leaves Lady Cardinal fans with one very sweet mutual memory.

“When I won state my sophomore year that was one thing I really enjoyed. It was my biggest accomplishment as a Lady Cardinal.”