MSU Strikes Gold with Swimmer Payton Smith’s Commitment

Chattahoochee Gold's Payton Smith has chosen Missouri State University for the next chapter in her standout swim career. Payton is Georgia Swimming's Senior Breakout Swimmer of the year for 2019-2020 and was a 2-time champion at USA Swimming's Southern Zones Age Group Championships in 2019, finishing first in 100 & 200 Butterfly.

Payton says, "I picked Missouri State because I loved the amazing coaching staff and after I visited the school I fell in love with the city and the size of the campus and I immediately knew that’s where I wanted to spend the next 4 years." She says she believes MO State chose her for her potential to be a team leader in butterfly & distance individual medley events. "I'm expecting to compete in the 100 Fly, 200 Fly and 400 IM." Her collegiate swim goals are to ensure the Lady Bears continue as Missouri Valley Conference champions, win an individual conference title and qualify to compete at the NCAA Women's Division I Swimming & Diving Championships.

Payton has competed for Chattahoochee Gold since she was 8-years-old.

"During my time on Chattahoochee Gold, every coach I have ever had has always pushed me to the best of my ability and has always believed in me, ultimately leaving me motivated to succeed. The best part of being on Gold was meeting my best friends and being able to watch them succeed in and out of the pool everyday. I am most proud of my friends for all of the amazing things they have accomplished, and they inspire me everyday to be better at everything I do."

Payton's Chattahoochee Gold coach Mark Schilling says "Payton has been a great teammate and extremely hard worker for many, many years on Gold. Her work ethic, practice attendance, and enthusiasm for the team have been impeccable. Missouri State is getting an exceptional student athlete!"

Payton will study Cell & Molecular Biology at MSU, on a pre-med track.

goldswim.com