Female Athlete of the Week
As seasons have changed, the outlook keeps getting brighter for several girls’ varsity sports at Ida Baker.
In particular, the volleyball, soccer and track & field teams are benefitting from the emergence of freshman Payton Van Horn.
Coming off a strong soccer campaign, in which she helped the Bulldogs to a 13-5-4 record, Van Horn has tried a variety of new events for the track team.
Her potential in many was on display last week at the LCAC Meet at Island Coast.
The Daily Breeze Female Athlete of the Week took the title in the 100 hurdles and placed second in the high jump and triple jump.
Van Horn participated in only two events during middle school – the 400 and long jump – but what she lacks in experience, she has made up for with a strong drive and willingness to learn.
Along with receiving help from coaches, Van Horn competes in the high jump with older sister and defending district champion Taylor Van Horn, a junior.
“Payton came out and she had never really jumped before. When she first started, everything was new,” said Baker high jump coach Brad Seiss. “Her sister pushes her and tells her the things she needs to know.”
Payton cleared a personal-best of 5-feet, 2-inches in the high jump, placing second in the LCAC meet. She then set a school record and another personal-best time of 16.20 seconds in winning the 100 hurdles final.
Van Horn said her goal for the rest of the season is to consistently jump at least 5-0 in the high jump and reach the 15-second range in the 100 hurdles.
Though track is beginning to offer new possibilities, Van Horn considers soccer her favorite sport, which she began playing at age 4 in Michigan and has become one of the area’s most dynamic players in recent years.
After an injury slowed her down early in the volleyball season, she added to the Bulldogs’ arsenal as the season progressed, helping them reach the district semifinals.
Honorable mentions:
Samantha Greenwell, sophomore, Mariner softball – Went 4-for-4 with two doubles and played a strong defensive game at third base in a win over Ida Baker.
Courtney Anderson, Mariner track: Broke her own school record and cleared a personal-best of 5-8 1/2 inches to win the LCAC high jump title.