Owen Russell
MALE
Owen Russell // Columbus North senior track athlete
Russell won the 110-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles Thursday in a 79-53 dual meet win against Columbus East. Saturday, he won the 110 hurdles to help lead the Bull Dogs to the team title at Brown County’s Talon Relays.
His performance last week: “It was great my senior year being able to win both hurdles (against) East and help my team to a victory.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “Music is a big part, just being able to channel that energy.”
Favorite drink: “Baja Blast from Taco Bell”
Favorite food: “Pizza”
Favorite class: “English”
Favorite sports team: “Indiana University”
Favorite athlete: “(Professional hurdler) Grant Holloway”
Role model: “(North track and cross-country) coach (Rick) Sluder”
Best advice: “Especially for track, just focus on yourself, and in the hardest races and learn to finish and push through.”
Athletics goal: “As a team, win sectional. I think we have a pretty good chance at that, and personally, I’m hoping to make it to state this year.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Somewhere in Italy, just because of the history, and the culture there is really interesting.”
FEMALE
Payton Morris // Columbus North junior softball player
Payton Morris
Morris went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in a 12-4 win at Columbus East, 4 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in a 15-2 win against Bloomington North, 1 for 2 in a 16-5 loss at Center Grove and 2 for 4 in an 8-6 loss to Bedford North Lawrence.
Her performance last week: “I feel like as a team, we came out pretty strong. For the weekend performance, we could have done better, but as the season goes along, we’ll get better.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “When I’m pitching, I take exactly 15 minutes to warm up.”
Favorite drink: “Cherry Coke”
Favorite food: “Pasta”
Favorite class: “AP Psychology”
Favorite sports team: “Ball State softball”
Favorite athlete: “(Former North and current Calumet College of St. Joseph softball player) Kelsey Lovelace”
Role model: “My mom (Danielle Allen)”
Best advice: “Coach (TJ) Jarvis has told me multiple times that I only get four years of this, so give your best every at bat.’’
Athletics goal: “I am trying to go for the home run record at North.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Probably my biggest dream is to go to New York because I love the scenery of it and all the buildings.”
