Westminster University Athletics

She has many nicknames, but with her real name etched in the Westminster record book with almost every Griffin mark from 1500M to the Marathon, as well as securing the only collegiate race win in school history, (Maverick Open XC 6K, Grand Junction, CO 10/10/15), junior Payton Schiff is universally known as fast. “The Paytonator” could literally walk from high school to college in less time than she can run a mile, as she dominated the XC and lacrosse fields for Westminster’s neighbor, Judge Memorial High School. In addition to fielding time on the High Honor Roll at Judge, “Knobster” captained the XC and Lacrosse teams, and for good measure, “Jaws” added Judge’s Outstanding Female Athlete award to cap her senior campaign. Studying is part of her regime too as Payton is engraved on the Westminster Dean’s List and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women’s XC Honor Roll. Back on the track, Payton does not generally harbor specific goals, but would like to join the 4-minute-mile club by graduation. For relaxation, Payton enjoys the movies Secondhand Lions and The Lorax, baking goodies, and enjoying the great outdoors in a myriad of ways as the former Snowbird instructor includes alpine and telemark skiing as favorites. Father Alan, mother Karen Thorsen, and Utah Ute sister Hailey are all local and can be seen whooping it up on the Westminster sideline.