The Paw Print

By Alexa Gola, Associate News & Features Editor, Kieran Blake, Sports Editor, Leah Galibois, Photo Editor

On Nov. 19, students and faculty gathered in the West Gym for the third all-school assembly of the year. This time, they celebrated one team in particular: Payton’s State Championship-winning boys’ cross country. Though not quite decked out in Payton attire, the Grizzlies still showed up with plenty of school spirit.

Payton’s cheer team kicked the celebration off with a quick performance. After leading the school in a cheer for cross country, they welcomed the boys to the floor. Every member of the team was greeted with a warm applause, and a handful of the team’s members who directly contributed to the state championship victory were called out by name.

Captain Preston Ellis ‘25 then addressed the school, commending his teammates on their accomplishment with a speech sprinkled with references to team jokes and memories. Following Preston’s speech, the pep band serenaded representatives from each grade as they took part in a three-legged race.

After the winners were crowned, Boys’ Cross Country Coach Daniel Dziubski spoke. In addition to highlighting the accomplishments of individual athletes, he also celebrated the dedication and perseverance every single member had shown in bringing their team to a state championship-winning level.

Closing out the pep rally, Dr. Shabazz addressed the school and Tra’Monti Williams ‘26 received the bullet that was fired to start his race. As the school celebrates their accomplishments, the Paw Print reached out to a few members of this extraordinary team to hear their perspectives.

The first interviewee was sophomore Steven Jiang, who posted a time of 15:03.20 and placed 29th overall. The second was junior Declan Slavin, who ran a 14:51.20 to finish 19th and earn a spot on the All-State team.*

Paw Print: How does it feel to be a state champion?

Jiang: You know, it feels great. I remember we were at the finish line, you know, it was really rainy that day– or it was a little bit rainy– it was really cold and we were just huddled together, and it was, like, real. We were just looking at the results coming in, and you know, it was really intense, really because the whole season, starting with over the summer, we were– we first started training over the summer. Our coaches were saying that we were going to be state champions this year, and all of the rankings and all of the polls were saying, you know, we were gonna be state champions. And so, you know, there was a lot of pressure on us to perform, and you know, I think in that moment, we just felt really relieved. You know, we were obviously proud of ourselves, and even though, you know, the rankings and everyone was confident that we could do it, I think it just felt really surreal, just to live that dream. And you know, it’s– it’s a good testament to all the hard work that we put in, and you know, just the teamwork overall.

Slavin: It feels great, you know, it’s bigger than just winning. We’re a team, we’re a family, and that victory represents more than just our effort but also the bonds you’ve made. And so, I feel like it’s a great thing. You know, winning is just a bonus on all the things we’ve done. Very cliché, but I find it true.

Paw Print: What was the atmosphere like after you guys won?

Jiang: Well, we heard from– I feel like people started, you know, we started getting a lot more attention, which was, you know, more than we had before. You know, I feel like we were really supported by our school and our, you know, our peers. And you know, it just felt great that, you know, there were teachers and you know, classmates that were congratulating us. And I think it’s good– it was a great feeling just, you know, being recognized by our community for our historic season. We also got some free merch from the Chicago Cubs, which was kinda sick, so yeah, I mean it’s, it was great. I think we also got on WGN, which was really cool, and of course the pep rally, I think was really cool.

Slavin: We were in disbelief. I know my mom cried, and we were very happy. Something the coaches have been working on, and I’ve been very proud, you know, helping them work towards their coaching goals. And also working so hard with my team and pulling ahead. I’m so grateful for everyone.

Paw Print: How did you feel during the race?

Jiang: For me personally– so my goal this whole season was to go under 15 minutes, and I was almost– I was sure that the fitness was there, the training was there. You know, unfortunately for me, I didn’t really have my best race. I feel like, obviously the conditions were– you know, we got to the line and it started raining a little bit, and it was really cold. I remember the first 400 meters, I kinda went off, you know it was just pure adrenaline, and you know, because it was my first time racing in the state meet, and it was just, like, surreal. I think 400 meters in, I was just like, “Wow, I’m actually doing it. This is it.” But no, we had a really good team showing. We had Tra’Monti Williams, obviously he had an incredible race; he was fifth All-State. Declan also had an incredible race. Personally, I ran a 15.03; I was, you know, I felt okay about that. But our number four and five guys, Preston and Vaughn, they really stepped it up. And because, you know, Gabe Cooper, the senior, he unfortunately was injured the week before, so he was, like, he was running with one leg, basically. You know, it’s sad, but I’m glad he was still able to run, and yeah, I think everybody ran really well. Yeah.

Slavin: It hurt. But you just have to kinda– you know, obviously it hurts. There’s obviously motivation to just work for your teammates because those seniors, it’s their last year, you’re gonna make it the best for them and give it your all. And also it’s the final race, so you’ve just gotta put it all out there and stick through the pain

Paw Print: And what did you guys do to prepare for the race?

Jiang: Yeah. So, training wise, we started in– we started two weeks after the end of track season, which was in mid-June. And we trained for six days– yeah, six days a week from early June until like November. So it was a very long period of training. We started off with a very– with a lot of mileage. We would be running like, you know, 12, some days we would be running like double-digit miles, like 10-12 miles a day. So it was a lot, you know, in the summer heat, and then, you know, winding down to tapering for the championship, we did a lot of key workouts. And you know, along the way, we set some milestones for ourselves, so one of our goals was to win the state championship, and we did that. We wanted to win our sectional, and we did that. And so, you know, obviously we had a couple setbacks along the way, but by the time state championship season rolled around, it was– we felt really prepared. I remember the night before, we actually had a guest speaker, Craig Virgin, who was one of the– he was one of the greatest American distance runners of all time, and our coach actually knew him from college. And so, we had a Zoom call; it was really inspirational because he’s like– he was the greatest distance runner ever to come out of Illinois. One of the greatest, he’s like a world cross country champion. So yeah, that was– I think that was really inspiring, just to– you know, a little bit of last-minute motivation, because you know, even though we had all the physical fitness, I think a big part of this sport is just, like, being mentally confident, knowing that you can execute based on what you’ve trained for. And I think that was, you know, a really– a really big motivation. I thought it was a really big motivation for us to perform, and I’m glad we did.

Slavin: Prepare for the race? A lot of these guys have been in the program for years, and we trained over the summer. Six days a week, some people ran seven, occasionally. And we really locked in on a diet. We hung out a lot, had a lot of goal setting just to create that team bonding and create that familial atmosphere. That’s basically all we did.

Paw Print: Thank you, and congratulations.

*Note: Jiang and Slavin were both interviewed separately