Payton Westra was born and raised to be a Mountain Lion.

It's literally in her blood.

At just 16 years old, the sophomore is already a big presence on the Red Mountain athletic scene. As a freshman last year, she made an immediate impact in basketball and softball, earning all-region honors on the hardwood before helping the softball team to the 6A semifinals while batting .435 and hitting six homeruns.

But the early success should be no surprise. Late in the 2023 calendar year, Westra made another big splash, but this time on the national level: she was one of 16 players selected to the U.S. Junior Olympic Softball team. One of only three sophomores selected to team, Westra will join her teammates in the summer at the team USA training center in Oklahoma in preparation for qualifying rounds, which start in late August in Dallas, Texas. The medal rounds will take place in 2025, meaning Westra is already in pursuit of a Golden dream. 

"It's just crazy and incredible," Payton's father John Westra says of his daughter's Junior Olympic selection.

"I'm just really proud of her because she sets lofty goals for herself and she goes after them. I can tell you she's  already better than me at anything I ever did."

That's quite a statement considering John Westra's resume at the school. His name and face are prominent amongst other former athletic standouts in the hallways and wrestling room at Red Mountain. A 1997 alum, Westra starred in football, wrestling and track before going on to play football at the University of Washington, where he was part of the Huskies 2001 Rose Bowl team. He was inducted into Mesa's sports Hall of Fame last year. 

"I don't just say that to say either," the elder Westra explains. "She sets goals and I just support her. She really goes after it and works really hard, but she's always pretty humble and a great teammate. I couldn't be more proud."

Payton Westra warms up in the outfield earlier this season.. 

The Road to Los Angeles 2028

John Westra wasn't kidding about his daughters focus, both daily and long term. There's a softball region to win (East Valley), an arch rival to beat no matter what (Mountain View), and a state title to bring back to Red Mountain this season. "Those are the same three goals every year for our team," Payton Westra explains. "Those things keep us focused on the path to a championship."

As her father mentioned, Westra has big goals for herself inlcuding the long term, which makes the Junior Olympic Team such a big deal. 

"She's had her sights on the 2028 or possibly 2032 Olympics," father Westra explained. "She doesn't talk too much or get too excited, but that's something she's set her sights on, so when we find out she made the Junior Olympic Team for 2024 and 2025, it was cause for a lot of excitment," Westra explained. "Payton is pretty stoic even with success, but when I was able to tell her she had made it, even she reacted with alot of emotion."

Well The 2028 Olympics may seem far off, but they'll take place just six hours down the Interstate 10 in Los Angeles. More importantly though, a shot to compete in the Junior Olympics as only a sophomore puts Westra in the sightline of Team USA and all those involved with selection and coaching.

"I'm sure alota lot of kids dream about the Olympics," Payton Westra said of competing as a U.S. Olympian. "That's a long road but it's a great opportunity to be able to participate in the Junior games."

She probably wouldn't say this herself, but Westra is truly in elite company. The journey began in early 2023 with the first tryouts in California in front of the USA softball performance committee. Westra qualified for a second tryout later in '23 which was held in Clearwater, Florida. She soon learned she was selcted to the national 16U team, which was a huge recognition in itself. Just as soon after that, John Westra got word from the committee that Payton was chosen for the 18U team. 

"It was really unexpected," Payton explained about hearing the news. "It's also really humbling and a great opportunity so I feel really lucky."

The difference between the 16U and 18U team is far more than just age classification. While a distinct honor to make 16U squad, there is no physical team, competition or tournaments. As previously mentioned, the 18U will come together later this summer with a shot at an eventual Gold medal in the Junior Olympic Competition. Besides the experience and familiarity with Team USA softball, there isn't a better stage to showcase talent in front of, as D-1 scouts and coaches across the country keep a close eye.

Staying Grounded at Red Mountain

The sky is obviously the limit for Westra's future. But there is plenty at stake in the present for Westra and her Mountain Lion teammates--the first of which is living up to the past. At Red Mountain that means state titles.

The Lions have won six state softball championships and finished runner-up two other times since 2006. It's an impressive run that included an unprecedented five straight titles from 2010-2014. Those championship years have a permament spot in the Red Mountain dugout as a reminder to current players.

Over the years, coach Hamilton has guided his share of high caliber players that went on to success at the next level, some of which even made an impact at the national level.

Jordan Beck was part of the historic five-peat, and earned All-American hornors in 2013 and also played for the Canadian junior national team. Going back to 2007, then-senior Bree Ensminger played for a U.S. team that won a championship at the International Softball Federation tournament in the Netherlands.

"We've had so many great players come through the program," says Hamilton. "I'm really lucky. It's also really motivating for the girls because they want to dedicate themelves to the tradition." Payton stands for everything Red Mountain, and she is special because she has the drive to go with the natural talent. She wants to be the best she can be and she wants the same for the team."

Big goals keep Westra driven. Her work ethic keeps her grounded. 

She's ahead of pace this season, with seven homeruns through 15 games. She's also played flawless defensively, with no errors in the outfield where she typically plays. 

"I've wanted to be a Mountain Lion all my life," Westra says with conviction. "I remember seeing my dad's name there even as a little kid, and my sister Taylor played volleyball there and did track and field, so I was always excited and proud. Playing for this softball program is a privelege. There's expectations that go along with it but it drives all of us."

Her softball coach is just as exctited to coach another Westra. A longtime fixture at Red Mountain, Rich Hamilton's tenure with the school goes back to the mid-90's when he coached the freshman football team at Fremont, and served as an assistant under longtime varsity coach Jim Jones, which included back-to-back championships in 2000 and '01.

"I can still remember those days on that field vividly," Hamilton says, pointing to the football stadium from the sotfball field, where he's built one of Arizona's flagship programs since taking over in the late 2000's.

"I knew Payton's older sister was a great athlete and I knew Payton had excelled in softball so she's obviously fit in well with out program to say the least."

Almost 10 years have passsed since Red Mountain's last state softball championship, but the Mountain Lions have remained a top program. After a runner-up finish in 2021 and a close 3-2 loss to Perry in last year's semifinals, coach Hamilton's 2024 squad looks to have all the makings of another title contender as region play gets underway today.

"There's alota lot of season left but we've played pretty well so far," Hamilton said. 
 

Led by Kassidy Lopez, Red Mountain has five players batting over .400, and is among the state leaders with 29 homeruns through 15 games. Sarah Misner (8), Westra (7) and fellow sophomore Taylor Hampton combined for 21 of those dingers before Tuesday. Junior Kendall Cochran has been steady on the mound all with a 1.37 ERA.

Red Mountain (13-2) finds itself ranked No. 3 in the 6A power points behind defending champion Basha and Queen Creek. With the way Basha is playing this season, the defending champions Bears appear to be the team to beat once again. But a challenge from Red Mountain wouldn't be surprising.

With a veteran coach like Rich Hamilton and the trophy case he''s built, it's safe to say Red Mountain has set the Gold standard.