FEATURED ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Payton Lyons, North Putnam

Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Payton Lyons has enjoyed her first year of playing soccer for the North Putnam Cougars.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Payton Lyons is a senior at North Putnam and participates in soccer and basketball.

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Banner Graphic: What do sports mean to you?

Payton Lyons: “Sports are very important to me. It helps me with my social skills, getting to meet new people and broadening your relationships with other people. The biggest thing I have learned is my leadership role. I have learned a lot about who I am as a person as I have played.”

BG: The basketball team hasn’t had a lot of success on the court. Has it still been fun?

PL: “It’s definitely been fun. I love the teammates that I have, and the friendships we have made. That helps us through practices and tough games. I love our coach [Jarrod Duff]. He’s been great since he’s been here. I see steps every single day how we get. We were a lot better last year than the year before, and I think this year we’re going to shock a lot of people with how good we’re going to be. We have a lot of freshmen who are really good and are going to help a lot.”

BG: Had you played soccer before this year?

PL: “No. Last year, our AD [Roger Busch] asked me if I wanted to run cross country to get ready for basketball. I told him I didn’t want to, because I didn’t like running that much. This year he asked me if I wanted to play soccer, and I figured ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen?” It’s been great, and I wish I would have played as a freshman. I love it. We got some athletes from other sports, and we’ve had a good season so far. I have surprised myself; I didn’t think I’d be starting and playing as much as I play. I feel I get better every single game. It helps to get to be more physical, and you have to be able to handle it. I got tackled the last match, and the referee said that’s just how things go.”

BG: What other things do you do at school besides sports?

PL: “I am in National Honor Society and the Student Athlete Leadership Team. I also compete in rodeo. I have competed in the Indiana Barrel Racing Association for the past five years. We have been riding horses since I was little, and we got into barrel racing about five years ago. Two years ago I was ranked fifth in the state in the Second Division.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school?

PL: “I am still looking at schools, but I’m interested in St. Mary-of-the-Woods and Purdue. I am looking to play basketball at SMWC, or maybe compete in equestrian. I want to have a career in horse rehabilitation, sort of like for people after they have injuries. They would send them to me to help them get back where they were. If I went to Purdue, I’d major in animal science and work with horses. At St. Mary-of-the-Woods, I would major in equine sciences and have a more direct path to my career.”

BG: What do you do in your spare time?

PL: “I work at the Putnam Inn as a waitress. When I’m not studying or playing sports, I’m usually there. It’s fun. I like interacting with people and that helps with your people skills. The tips are pretty good, but that’s not what I want to do for a career.”

BG: What are some of your favorites in TV, music and movies?

PL: “My go-to TV show is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. I like ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ and ‘Heartland’ too. My favorite movie is ‘Remember the Titans’. I love that movie. I also love to read. I read all different kinds of series. ‘Harry Potter’ was the best.’”

BG: If you could describe your personality in one word, what word would that be?

PL: “Outgoing. I am not afraid to go up to new people and talk to them. I smile a lot. Some people think I have a mean face, but once they get to know me they know I don’t.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

PL: “Skydiving. Someone would probably have to push me out of the plane before I would actually do it, but I think the adrenaline rush would be great.”

BG: What is your greatest fear?

PL: “Spiders. They just creep me out. There was one in my room the other day and I screamed really loud. My mom had to come and kill it.”

BG: What are your favorite and least favorite foods?

PL: “Pepperoni pizza is my favorite, and vegetables are my least favorite.

BG: You’ve had an indirect path to North Putnam. Has it worked out well for you?

PL: “I went to Cloverdale my eighth-grade year, and then I started my freshman year at Clay City before coming to North Putnam in January of that year. I definitely do not regret picking North Putnam. I love the faculty here, and Mr. [Jason] Chew and Mr. [Levi] Yowell have made my high school experience great.”

BG: Have any particular classes or teachers helped you in high school?

PL: “Definitely Mrs. [Kate] Skirvin in agriscience. She’s also helped me with Purdue admissions since she has a lot of connections there. Also Mr. [Joseph] Cialkowski in biology. He’s just a great teacher the way he interacts with students.”

BG: After college, do you have plans to come back around here or go to some more tropical locale?

PL: “My mom doesn’t like the idea, but I’ve always kind of liked Wyoming and Texas. There are a lot of horses there.

BG: Do you have any goals for the rest of this year?

PL: “Academic goals, I want to get accepted into my two top college. Athletically I want to keep the grind going. I can’t wait for basketball.”