Getting to Know Payton Ballard
9/19/2013 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Sept. 19, 2013
RollTide.com caught up with each new member of the track and cross country team to find out more about them. Today, we sat down with freshman Payton Ballard, a Mountain Brook, Ala. native and 2013 AHSAA state indoor champion in the 1,600 meters and the 3,200 meters.
What are you looking forward to most about being a member of the team?
First of all, just improving as an athlete. In my first year, I'd like to get used to the system. The mileage has gone up, so I want to get used to that and get in better shape to run better times.
Why did you choose Alabama?
In my recruiting process, the first thing I decided was that I didn't want to go that far (from home). Alabama was a natural choice. It just felt right. I've been an Alabama fan since the day I was born, and my whole family is all Alabama fans. I tried not to let that influence me too much, but it just felt right. I loved the team, and Alabama has a great business school. Everything fit.
How did your family react to your college decision?
They were very excited. They would've been excited no matter where I chose to go. They were happy I found a place I liked. Being the first person in my family to play a sport in college was a big deal for my family, and they were excited about that. They've been supportive the entire time. It's been great having them with me through the process.
When did you realize you could compete at the Division 1 level?
It's really a slow process. There was never one moment for me that said I should run in college. I started slowly getting fast. Some people told me I was doing well, and after my sophomore year I got some letters from college and thought `hey, this is cool.' Until I got letters from bigger schools like Alabama, I didn't really consider it. It really hit me in July before my senior year when coaches started calling me and saying "we want you to come take a visit and we really want you on our team." That's when it hit me that I was going to run in college.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I've balanced academics and athletics well. I had a good GPA (4.1) in high school and was very proud of my test scores (33 on the ACT). Balancing that, running and my social life was important to me, and I think I did well with that. As far as running, the one moment I remember most in high school was an indoor race where I ran 1:53.44 (800 meters) and that was one of the top times in the nation. I was really happy with that.
What has been the biggest adjustment you've had to make as a college athlete?
My training is a little different. I'm running twice a day normally, and I didn't do that much in high school... The scheduling is a big thing for me. I don't have much free time during the day anymore. There are more responsibilities, so I'm getting used to that. In high school at practice, every workout I would run as hard as I could. The difference in college is that you don't burn yourself out like that, so you have to hold back a little in practice. I'm having to get used to that.
What goals do you have for this season?
I'm not putting too much pressure on myself as a freshman. The main thing for me is to get comfortable running with the team, not being by myself at practice and all those things. The races are longer in cross country, so every race is a personal record right now. I want to try and do as well as I can within the team, get adjusted and then I'll go from there.
Have you decided on a major?
I'm leaning towards accounting, but I'm going to take intro level classes in several areas to see what I like the most.
Is there any other athlete, either professional or collegiate, that inspires you?
New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. I love him. I think he's one of the most clutch players--dominant in what he does--and he's humble about it. I respect that.
Aside from track, what is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport to play is probably baseball. That was my sport as a kid. I was a shortstop and pitcher. My favorite sport to watch is football.
Athletes have strict diet regimens, but if there is one food you cannot live without, what is it?
My favorite food is a cheeseburger. If I go to a restaurant, even if it's the fanciest restaurant in town, I'm going to get a cheeseburger. No matter what's on the menu, that's what looks the best to me.
What's on your iPod right now?
I listen to electronic and acapella music--two very different genres. I have the two opposite ends of the spectrum, so some examples of artists are the Vanderbilt Melodores (acapella) and Ratatat (electronic).
