UF high jumper Payton competing in outdoor championships in Oregon

University of Findlay freshman high jumper Shakur Payton's made quite a first impression. He was named the Great Midwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, second-team all-GMAC and finished 16th in the high jump at the NCAA Division II national championships (2.07m). "He does everything that's asked — and he did that even going back to the fall — so for it to all kind of come together in the spring for him at the right time, when he needed it, is great," UF high jump coach Bree Makepeace said. "Shak is super easygoing — I think that's one of the best things about him — he stays calm, he does what we ask, he trusts the process and I think he's going to do really big things moving forward from here." One of those "big things moving forward" will be later today, when he competes in the United States Track and Field Under-20 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. "I'm pretty excited," Payton said. "When Coach Bree texted me and asked if I wanted to go to this meet, I was like, 'yeah, sure' and I just thought of it as if it were like any other track meet." That feeling changed real quick once he landed in Oregon. "Once I got through the gates at Hayward Field, I stood there, looked around and saw a lot of familiar faces, a lot of Olympics athletes, a lot of professional athletes — people I've watched since high school — and reality really set in for me," he continued. "As a 19-year-old kid, this is something I never thought would happen at such an early stage in my life. It's amazing, but I'm definitely ready and definitely excited." Payton comes into the meet having cleared the highest mark of any competitor with a jump of 2.12m, edging out Marcus Monroe and Jalan Rivers, who each cleared 2.11m. With that high mark, expectations are high for the 19-year-old in Payton. But he remains realistic as well. "I fully believe that I can win this, but things won't always go your way, either — there's always ups and downs," he said. "In the indoor season, I didn't clear a bar — I only jumped 6-1. So, really, anything can happen in track and field, but having the best mark does give me a boost of confidence. "Other than that, I'm just gonna go out and see what I can do, and hopefully, I'll be able to PR." "This is such a phenomenal opportunity, I don't really have expectations on it, but if you had to ask me, I know Shak can jump 7-0, but we'll see what the day brings," Makepeace said. "Still, I think it's a great opportunity for him to compete and do what he does, have some fun and apply what he's learned so far." Payton says he'll have nerves today — he said he had them on the plane ride to Eugene, too — but the hope is that that'll be a positive once he's on the track. "I've got practice here at one-o-clock and I'm hoping it goes well," he said Thursday. "I'm really trying just to stay calm and not let the nerves get to me. But I won't lie, I'm pretty nervous right now, but I just always tell myself that I'm going to be one of the best." He's nervous, and rightfully so, it's the biggest meet Payton's competed in. His coach doesn't seem to think it'll deter him all that much, though. "Shak is incredible in that his demeanor is always calm, cool and collected, which is why he always does so well," Makepeace said. "He's the type of kid to always keep it level — he's very strong-minded in that aspect — and I think that's something he does a good job at and will continue to, but this will be different." What won't be different is the name of the front of his jersey, and Payton couldn't be prouder of that. "I'm pretty proud to be representing Findlay because it's so small," he said. "Not many people know of Findlay, so I'm glad to be up here and have Findlay across my chest tomorrow."