Payton Campbell is the 2025 recipient of the Nicole Reinhart Memorial Scholarship.
LVRR: What college will you attend and what is your intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
PC: I will be attending Monmouth University to study Health Sciences with en end goal of becoming a Physical Therapist or Physician’s Assistant. I will be running cross country and track while at Monmouth.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
PC: I started running in 7th grade because I grew up watching my mom run. She ran many road 5ks and would often run to exercise. I started joining her and eventually used cross country as a way to ease out of gymnastics and cope with my anxiety.
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
PC: I think my greatest accomplishment in my running career thur far has been qualifying to run the 3200m at Nationals. I also think a big accomplishment was helping my team win the District XI title all four years of my high school cross country career.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
PC: During my sophmore year of track, I faced an injury that nearly ended my season. I broke my wrist and needed surgery. I had pins placed in my wrist and was casted, but could not run for a month. While I could have quit and called my season complete, I chose to work through this challenge. With the help of my coaches, I created a training plan to keep me in shape despite not being able to run. I was able to bike and do the elipitical. Finally, I was able to run and placed third in the 3200m at Districts. I think this experience showcased my ability to stay strong and “swim” when it would have been very easy for me to “sink”.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
PC: My most influential role model(s) have been my coaches because they have taught me valuable life lessons and shapred me to be the athlete I am today.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
PC: I think many people would be surprised to learn that I do triathlons.
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
PC: Rewarding. I think the best way to describe the worth of running to any individal, regardless of skill level, is rewarding. Over time, you will be able to see your growth and progress as an athlete and an individual. Running will strengthen the body and the mind. When you accomplish your end goal of running a 5 minute mile, finishing a marathon, or running for 20 minutes consecutively, there is a sense of fullfillment and satisfaction, and I think that is one of the greatesst feelings running can bring to someone.
LVRR: Who is your running support network?
PC: My parents, family, coaches and teammates.
LVRR: What events did you run in high school?
PC: Cross country 5k, 1600m, 3200m, 800m, 400m, DMR, 4x800m
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
PC: I love to watch the jumps and pole vault. I actually did pole vault for a little my sophmore year, but then I broke my wrist.
LVRR: How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
PC: Running with friends and music are two things that keep me going!
LVRR: What are the top three “little things” that you do to prevent injury?
PC: Stretch, roll, fuel
LVRR: What are your favorite pre race and post race meals??
PC: I like a lot of snacks pre-race, so I usually eat protein bars, bananas, rice cakes and peanut butter. I love to drink Liquid IV too. Right after my races, I like to eat a pretzel, and I like to get Chipolte once the race is over.
