Lindsey Payne has been smiling after races most of the 2016 cross country season whether it's been in good or bad times. Payne won only two races this season but was able to achieve second in every other competition during the IHSA campaign. Though the junior from Glen Ellyn Glenbard West ran "well" in other people's perspective, she was not entirely whole. Payne suffered through an assortment of health ailments during the season that hampered her forward progress. It would be hard for the average person to contemplate any tears for Payne who ran the second fastest three mile time (16:34) and finished second in the state to freshman teammate Katelynne Hart. Payne was tabbed by many pre-season observers as the favorite to win state after the legend Judy Pendergast of Naperville North moved on to college. Payne made a quick turn around three weeks after the state meet in which she placed 8th in the Midwest Footlocker Regional. The accolade earned her an all expenses paid trip to sunny San Diego, California. The end result was a solid 17th place which was just two seconds away from All American status.
Look for Payne to take a few weeks off to regenerate for the track season. She has several big goals one of which is to break her 3200m personal best of 10:29.80 and go under 4:55 for the mile. Good luck!
Lindsey Payne struts out to the starting line at the National Footlocker Championship
