By Ed Piper
Payton Smith recorded the 10th-best time in the U.S. this year in the 200 meters at the Mt. Carmel Invitational Sat., March 23. The La Jolla senior is ASB President, a very popular Homecoming Queen, committed to compete for the University of Michigan next year.
This interview took place at the Vikings' home meet against OLP and St. Augustine Wed., March 27.
You're enjoying your senior year?
Yes, I am. It's been fun.
What about it?
I have a nice group of friends out here--those guys over there (gesturing toward Viking teammates on the infield turf at Edwards Stadium). They've made it really fun.
My sister's (Olivia, a sophomore) out here.
That looks like fun. You guys are running in the same races.
So that's been fun. A lot less pressure, because of senior year. I'm already committed.
That really drops the (pressure).
All the stress has been a little bit down. (A big smile on her face.)
You seem like a person, working in ASB, that can bring people together. I watched you set up for football (in the fall), very much like the one who is working with people, working to get people together. Are you like that?
Yes, I would very much say that I'm a leader that chose ASB, and out here (in track), too. Yeah, that's what's been fun about it this year, is getting everyone together. Everyone vibes together well, so it's really easy to get a good vibe with everyone, and lead the way.
Do you feel like, looking back at freshman, sophomore years, last year, this year, that you have kind of blossomed this year as a person?
I think so. Last year was kind of my breakout year for track, like my times and what-not. But this year has been a year to focus on the mental part, have fun... This is the first year actually having fun. We have really good coaching out here, which has been awesome. We have a couple different coaches throughout my whole years.
So when you run, can you enjoy it?
I think so, yes. That's something I've learned. 4-by-4's have been really fun for me recently. Especially being a mentor for some of the younger kids. Giving my expertise or what-not.
Your friend who runs at Madison (High)?
Amirah Shaheed.
You guys are close buddies?
Yes.
What do you do together?
We train together. So I train in the summer with her, and in the winter, and right after the season is over, I go over and train with them at Madison.
Great.
So we compete together, we travel together.
The U-T article pointed out that you're the first Black ASB president (at La Jolla High). So you are a trailblazer in a lot of ways. There are people who can follow you and go, this person's done it already, and I can step into that more easily. Do you see that?
Yes, for sure. I think, with ASB, specifically, too, we have on our Exec Board--it's out of eight people, seven of them are girls, and then they're all girls of color, which is super cool. I think it kind of started the trend of getting up to that. I don't know, just a new level of what we have going on. All super-smart girls, too.
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