Payne Ends Historic Year at Bowerman Ceremony
12/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Rewatch 2015 Bowerman Award Ceremony
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Stephen F. Austin senior pole vaulter Demi Payne was celebrated for her fantastic 2015 season on Thursday night at The Bowerman Award Ceremony in San Antonio, taking the stage as one of three women's finalists for collegiate track and field's top individual honor.
Payne, Oregon sprinter Jenna Prandini and Kentucky hurdler Kendra Harrison were the women featured at the main event of the annual U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Convention, with Prandini claiming the trophy at the end of the night.
After the jam-packed ballroom witnessed Payne's season in a highlight video, the New Braunfels native was interviewed by ESPN's John Anderson, the host for the evening. She was able to take the audience through her journey of becoming a mother to her now two-year-old daughter Charlee as well as recap her rise to the top of the collegiate pole vault world in 2015. At the end of her interview, Anderson joked with Payne and made her stand to show off her dress.
Payne was named a Bowerman finalist after showcasing one of the best years the track and field community has ever seen. She won 13 individual pole vault titles overall during her junior campaign, broke a collegiate record five times and capped her outdoor season by winning the NCAA pole vault title with a meet record-breaking jump.
In 2015 alone, Payne posted 11 of the top 10 jumps all-time in collegiate history between the indoor and outdoor seasons. She currently holds five of the best seven vaults indoors, including her national standard of 15-7 (4.75m) set in January. Her personal best mark also ranks her third all-time on the USA indoor list. On the outdoor circuit, Payne cleared six bars that rank in the top ten in the collegiate record books.
On the international stage Payne placed fourth at the Pan American Games in Canada and also qualified for the 2015 World Championships held in Beijing, China. She is set to begin her senior outdoor season in March with her eyes on the 2016 Olympics in Rio later in the summer.
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