Central Washington University Athletics

2024-2025: Freshman Payton Conover finished out her cross country season helping the women's team to finish 7th at the GNAC Championships and 15th at the NCAA DII Regional Meet. Following a strong first cross country season, Payton ran distance for the indoor season. She ran the mile and 3000m consistently, with a PR in the 3000m at the Riverfront Invitational. Payton qualified in the 3000m and 5000m for the Indoor GNAC Championship meet. She then went on to run the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m throughout her outdoor season. At the Oregon Preview she placed second in the 5000, had a PR in the 1500m at the Whitworth Peace Meet, and took first in both the 1500m and 3000m at the Wildcat Invitational. Running a PR of 17:29.44 in the 5000m at the Ralph Vernacchia Invitational, Payton hopped up to #8 on the 5000m All-Time List. She qualified for the 5000m and 10,000m for Outdoor GNAC Championships. At Championships, Payton placed fifth in the 5000m, and then had a huge PR in the 10,000m to place second. With her new PR of 36:54.96, Payton is sixth on the All-Time List in the 10,000m. 
Background: Payton Conover was a multi-time qualifier at the Washington Cross Country State Championships, including two top-35 finishes. Conover was also the champion of the John Payne/Curtis XC Invitational, and the Carl Westling Invitational. On the track, was the Edmonds School District Champion in the 1600 meters, and a state finalist in the 3200 meters. 
High School: Graduated from Meadowdale High School. Lettered 4 times in Cross Country, 3 times in track. XC and Track Captain senior year. Went to XC state 2021,2022,2023, Track state 2023,2024. 1st team all-Wesco in XC 2021,2022,2023, 1st team all-Wesco in the 3200 meter 2023. Edmonds School District XC champion 2023,2022
Why CWU: "I liked the location of the school, and the size of campus. I also liked the dynamic of the team."
Personal:  Parents are Chris and Lisa Conover. Two sisters and my birthday is July 18th