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OGDEN — Weber State shortstop Aubrey Whitmer has been focused in her senior season.
It’s part of the reason she’s set the school record with a .425 batting average and led the Wildcats to back-to-back Big Sky Conference titles.
She’s so focused, the Mesa, Arizona, native almost missed out on arguably the biggest news of her career: Whitmer was named Big Sky Player of the Year Tuesday, and she celebrated by arriving early to practice.
“It’s pretty cool. I didn’t know until we were warming up and everyone was congratulating me,” Whitmer said. “I didn’t know that I had gotten it.
“I’m really happy that I was able to get that.”
But the most important thing for Whitmer is winning, something the 34-17 Wildcats did plenty of in 2016. Because of it, the Big Sky champions will host their first-ever conference tournament beginning Thursday at 2:30 p.m. MDT.
“We feel really great that we are able to play at home and have the support of our community,” said Whitmer, who became the first player in program history to hit above .400 and has driven in 53 RBIs on 65 hits with 19 doubles. “This is our home field, and we are used to playing on it. To play on a field where we are comfortable is great.”
Weber State coach Mary Kay Amicone has won plenty of big games. The former Wildcat softball player led Salt Lake Community College to seven Scenic West Athletic Conference titles and three NJCAA national championship contests in nine seasons at the school.
But winning at her alma mater, where Amicone has compiled a 94-61 record, requires great players, and Whitmer has proven to be just that.
“She is well deserving. Aubrey has had a really solid season, and she’s been a great competitor for us,” Amicone said. “She’s really steady, and I’m happy for her.”
Still, an honor like conference player of the year isn’t just about the player, Amicone said. Whitmer is one of several great players on a team of Wildcats who have turned around a program in just its sixth year since reinstating the program in 2010. Weber State fielded a softball team from 1974-83 before dropping the program through 2010, sending Amicone to finish her education at Utah.
“Honors aren’t always seen by the public in private, but we see what we do on every pitch and every play,” Amicone said. “We’ve earned it together.”
Winning draws teammates together, and the Wildcats are no exception. With a team average of .316 and a pitching staff with an average ERA of 2.89, Weber State has put together its best two seasons in program history in 2015 and 2016.
“This team is awesome,” said sophomore pitcher Kirtlyn Bohling, a Salem Hills High product with a 17-7 record and 2.84 ERA in 31 appearances in the circle. “There’s a bond between the girls that I haven’t felt on many teams before. Because of that, we’ve been able to pull together at crucial times and come up with big hits and big runs, and be successful because of it.”
There’s a bond between the girls that I haven’t felt on many teams before. Because of that, we’ve been able to pull together at crucial times and come up with big hits and big runs, and be successful because of it.
–Weber State pitcher Kirtlyn Bohling
Whitmer said she wouldn’t be able to do what she has individually without the help of her teammates.
“Our team is very supportive of each other, and if someone is having a hard time, we are able to pick each other up,” she said. “We’re family, on and off the field. It’s great to have that support system with our team.”
A championship winning coach at three instate institutions, the former BYU varsity program starter has a plea for Weber State fans.
“Come see what Wildcat softball is all about,” Amicone said. “I love the way we play, but I love even more who we are and what kind of people we have playing for Weber State University.”
