BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Softball head coach Amy Tudor has announced the addition of Payton O'Connor, a utility player out of Georgia, to the Hilltoppers next class of newcomers. With a resume filled with accolades, O'Connor fits right in with WKU's most recent signees in Anniston Bray, Luna Curran, Addy Edgmon, Kaytlan Kemp and Maddy Wood. WKU Softball's newest members are set to arrive on campus in fall 2022.
PAYTON O'CONNOR | ACWORTH, GA. | ALLATOONA H.S. | UTILITY | L/R
Payton O'Connor is headed to The Hill from Acworth, Ga., where she plays her prep ball at Allatoona High School.
Her lengthy list of softball accolades includes a three-time selection to the Georgia 6AAAAAA First-Team All-Region squad, a 2019 6AAAAAA Gold Glove recipient as an outfielder, a selection to the Marietta Daily Journal First Team All-County list and a two-time selection as AAAAAA Second-Team All-State. In 2018, O'Connor's high school team finished third in the state in the Georgia AAAAAA class as well.
During the 2020 and '21 campaigns, O'Connor served as the main pitcher for her squad.
Off the field, O'Connor has earned four straight scholar-athlete recognitions from 2018-21 as she enters her final season of prep ball. She was also 1-of-4 seniors from her school nominated for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association (NIAAA) Scholarship. O'Connor is also involved in the student-body government and has been an AHS Athletic Leadership member in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
O'Connor also played two season of junior varsity basketball in 2018 and 2019 before switching over to varsity flag football in 2020 and 2021. With the flag football squad, O'Connor helped the team win the 2020 region championship and finish in the final four at state in the inaugural season of the team.
TUDOR ON O'CONNOR: "Payton brings speed, versatility and another left handed threat to our lineup. She has a big arm with speed and pop. We are excited to add Payton to this class."
How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball.
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