Wardlow’s Patience Paying Off in 2024

Junior infielder Olivia Wardlow spent the majority of her first two seasons in Ames sitting in the dugout, watching her teammates play. A self-proclaimed role player, Wardlow has seen her role expand in her junior season, setting career highs across the board.

After making just three starts and having 21 at-bats across her first two seasons, Wardlow has burst onto the scene in her third year, becoming a consistent threat in the Cyclone lineup.

Head Coach Jamie Pinkerton has slotted Wardlow exclusively in the nine spot this season, as she has turned over the lineup in 23-of-27 games on the year. Whether it's at second base or DP, she has been a part of the Cyclone batting order in all but the first four games of the year.

Getting Started in Ames
An Iowa native, Wardlow says she grew up in an Iowa State family and knew the moment she got to campus that Iowa State was the place for her.

Coming into Iowa State, Wardlow "went back and forth between hitting and slapping." She mentioned that she'd slap and hit in travel ball but would hit normally in high school play. Initially at ISU, Wardlow said, "I would practice both but mainly be pinch hit as a slapper." Whatever the coaches needed her to do, she'd do.

Fast forward three seasons, and Wardlow's bat and willingness to slap full-time has played a pivotal role in the Cyclone attack, as she currently has the fourth-best batting average on the team and has been the second-hardest Cyclone to strike out for opposing pitchers. Her left-handed, slapping approach has fed right into the top of the order and a pair of lefty bats in both Milaysia Ochoa and Angelina Allen.

Wardlow says she really doesn't have a preference for where she hits but admits that being in the nine-hole is enjoyable and that it's cool to feed into Ochoa and Allen. "It's really cool how Milaysia and Mo (Angelina) will go through the lineup and then maybe the second or third inning – whenever my at-bat comes – going up to them and asking them for help in my approach because they set me up for success in my at-bats."

Switching to the field, Olivia had "always" been an infielder, primarily second base, and that was what she was recruited as. "Last year, I got moved to the outfield, and then this year, I got moved back to the infield."

Wardlow was doing whatever was asked of her, playing her role and helping the team wherever she could. Olivia spent the fall in the outfield, learning every day from team captains Allen and Ochoa before being moved back to her natural second base. "Though I didn't stay in the outfield, it was rewarding to learn from those two every day."

Olivia Wardlow at Kansas City

How She Stays Ready both Mentally and Physically
Like most Division I athletes, Wardlow is a competitor, so how did she handle having to wait her turn? Well, she attributes most of it to her teammates.

"I feel like I spent a lot of my time learning from those in front of me – specifically Kasey (Simpson)." Wardlow mentions that she learned a lot watching Kasey play during the past two seasons. Simpson, a five-year starter on the infield, was a role model for Wardlow and someone she strived to push every day in practice.

"She was pushing me while I was also pushing her in practices." The two worked well to strengthen one another and learn from each other. Now, Wardlow finds herself in Kasey's shoes, being the starting upperclassman.

"Whether it's McKenna (Andrews), Isabelle (Nosan) or Sophie (Maras), we're all really good about handling the rotation at second," Olivia says. She adds, "We never know who's going in, or we don't know who is going to play that game at second." Wardlow says that they've all been good at helping each other compete but also motivating each other to be better both in game and in practice.

When asked if she gets discouraged when others start the game at second, Wardlow mentions that she doesn't let that bother her. "A lot of the mental aspect just comes down to never giving up and still working hard and taking advantage of what you're learning from those in front of you." Olivia also says, "As a role player, it's my job to always be ready for the moment when my number is called."

Success and What Comes With
Having dreamed of being a Division I athlete as a child, Warlow states that earning a starting spot this season has been super rewarding. "Working hard and being able to start is a huge success for anyone, so being able to start is a really cool accomplishment for me."

Wardlow would be remiss if she didn't mention her teammates. "A lot of my success this season comes from my teammates. Having teammates to rely on and having teammates that will go out and push you to work harder is a huge deal."

This is all just part of the Iowa State standard though, Wardlow says. "Throughout the years, I feel like the seniors of the past have set standards that have been passed down." Those standards, which include always being ready and being a good teammate, can never be lost. "Each year, the seniors do a great job of letting the underclassmen/newcomers know about these standards."

Olivia knows that the Cyclones will get young next season, as the team is set to lose ten seniors. Wardlow, along with a pair of fellow juniors, will be the seniors that the next team looks up to. She's excited for the opportunity to continue to lead next season and maintain the Cyclone softball standard.

Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

Milaysia Ochoa

Olivia Wardlow

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics