The Paw Print

By Maren Theyssen, Staff Writer

November was a month of domination for Grizzlies sports. As teams competed in state tournaments, many awards and trophies made it back to Payton. November finished off a successful and exciting season for fall sports. 

Tackle football completed their season, losing to Nazareth in the state tournament and Lincoln Park in the city tournament. Congratulations to seniors Allen Greyer, Jayden Im, Zach Schwartz, Ryan Fardy, Jonathan Guliana, Eric Wang and Deion Albert on completing their final season of high school football. 

Girls swim and dive competed in sectionals and placed third. Though they placed high, they unfortunately did not move on. Ema Cheng-Tanaka set a new school record in the 200-meter, and another record was set in the medley relay by juniors Sofia Loren Lofranco and Nadia Williams alongside two Jones students. Congratulations to all of the seniors on their final season.

Girls volleyball completed their season after losing in sectionals to DePaul in two sets. Sophomore Charlie Fumerton Porter finished off the season with the highest kills per set, averaging 2.1, and junior Emily Sprenger led the teams in blocks, at thirty total blocks. The girls volleyball team is extremely competitive and the future is only looking brighter for the program. The team remains regarded as one of the best teams in the city. Congratulations to seniors Marissa Mancine, Mia Zimarron, Iyanna Tuyay and Cilia Conley on finishing up their last season with Payton volleyball. 

Girls cross country competed in the state championship with three runners: senior Isabel McCarthy, sophomore Ella Geerdes and senior Emily Cheng. All three ran personal bests, ensuring a successful end to the season. Congratulations to all of the seniors. 

Girls basketball kicked off their season, finishing 2-2 in the Richard’s Thanksgiving Tournament. Congratulations to junior Mila Ind for being named one of the all-tournament players. The team looks to continue their success as conference play starts in December.

Boys basketball also began their season, going 2-2 in the Saint Patrick’s Tournament. Congratulations to juniors Patrick Irvin Jr. and Keller McGovern for being selected as all-tournament players. The Grizzlies have their first home game on Dec. 10 and then will have multiple away games the rest of that week. 

Payton sent off a historic team to the state championship for cross country in Peoria, Ill. They competed alongside the best teams in Illinois to bring the trophy back to Chicago for only the third time in history across all CPS schools. Not only that, but the team has won the championship for the first time in school history. They scored 113 points and had two runners named All-State athletes: juniors Declan Slavin and Tra’Monti Williams. From this win, the team will compete in Terre Haute, Ind., for the Nike Midwest Regional. Congratulations to the team and their amazing success throughout the season.