Payton Covert may have a sweet disposition at home and in school, but when she’s on the wrestling mat, her temperament changes altogether. For the Southwest Junior High seventh-grader and member of the Lawrence Coyotes and Kansas Krusaders wrestling clubs, the typical demeanor of an honor roll student is replaced by an aggressive opponent who has wrestled her way to becoming a Kansas USGWA (United States Girls Wrestling Association) champion.

For her performance at state, the second-year wrestler went on to compete at nationals last month in Detroit, Mich.

There, Payton wrestled in the 74-pound weight division, which was the smallest weight class for participants in the sixth- to- eighth-grade brackets.

While eager to go to nationals, Payton was uncertain of how well she would do there because she knew the competition was going to be even tougher.

“I didn’t know how I would do,” she said. “State and nationals are totally different.”

After pinning her first opponent at nationals, in her second match Payton went up against a four-time national champion. Payton did all she could, but her opponent proved to be the superior wrestler and Payton lost.

Though she didn’t win a championship at nationals, Payton still did quite well, placing eighth in the country and earning a spot on the USGWA All-American team. Payton thought she may have done better if not for the big turnout of spectators.

“I was very nervous just seeing all those people,” Payton said.

While Payton may have been intimidated by the large crowd, she said her quick success at wrestling has been a result of some tough competition over the past two years – against both girls and boys. And in the two years since she started wrestling, Payton has noticed a few differences between them.

“The boys are a lot stronger,” she said. “They do have a lot more skills. The girls are weaker. I feel a lot more strong against the girls.”

While Payton may feel a little more powerful against the girls, coincidentally, it is a girl who Payton looks up to as a role model and as a wrestler – Lawrence High senior Emma Mercer.

Payton first became interested in wrestling after watching both Mercer and Mercer’s brother, Ryan, also a wrestler at Lawrence High, compete on the mat. Two weeks ago Mercer became the first Lawrence High girl to earn a wrestling scholarship. Mercer will wrestle for Oklahoma City University next year, and Payton hopes to someday accomplish the same feat.

“I really want to keep wrestling and get a full-ride scholarship,” Payton said.

While wrestling at the collegiate level is a few years away for Payton, she knows full well her quick success at wrestling would not have been possible without such strong support from her family.

Her mother, Lara, along with her father, Ron, a wrestling coach for the Lawrence Coyotes, stay quite busy helping out and traveling to their daughter’s various sports and school activities. Payton also runs track, swims and plays soccer. In addition, she is also a member of Student Council.

“She’s a very thoughtful child. A joy to be around,” said Lara.

And in the coming years, Payton wants to improve her wrestling skill and reach new heights so she can attain a dream of her own.

“My goal is to be the best I can be,” Payton said. “No more, no less.”