As a freshman softball pitcher for the Medford Lady Cardinals, Kaiden Spidell knows all too well the pressures of walking onto a field laden with upperclassmen. “I do feel like my experience is different than most,” Spidell said. “I’ve never felt intimidated due to the confidence I have in my softball ability. Medford is a small school, and my dad has coached these girls for years. I’ve been going to practice with them since I was little. The upperclassmen in Medford know the level of experience I brought to the field this year. I feel like I walked into a leadership role. The upperclassmen are very supportive and encouraging.” 

Spidell also knows the importance of being a leader by example, and she said integrity is important to her also. “I do the right thing even when no one is looking,” she said. “I’m not involved in drama, I treat others the way I want to be treated, and I’m supportive of my teammates on and off the field. To me, someone with good character displays leadership by example, kindness and trustworthiness.” 

In her free time, Spidell said her favorite hobbies include spending time with her family and friends, fishing with her dad, and going to the lake. “I struggle with hearing loss, and I want to use that to be a role model for younger athletes who might also struggle with something similar,” she said. “It’s important to be confident, true to yourself, and know you can overcome any obstacle with a positive attitude.” 

Spidell did say this season has started as a challenge, but she believes her and her team can overcome that. “I’m playing positions that I haven’t had to play in the nine years that I’ve played travel ball,” she said. “It’s forced me out of my comfort zone, but I will take on any challenge that will benefit my team. We made a lot of progress, but we had to cancel games and practices the last week due to Covid. My ultimate goal is to keep getting better and better every day and  one day play college softball.”