I’ve got to give a shout-out to one of the most impressive HS athletes I have ever seen go through my own community and former High School of Mediapolis… Payton Harris is just a Sophomore and has accomplished some INCREDIBLE feats in her first 2 years of HS in multiple sports! A couple months ago she placed 2nd at the 2026 Iowa Girls HS State Track Tournament in the Discus. She won 8 first place medals, set a meet record at West Burlington, set the Mepo HS school record, etc! She set her PR and broke the school record when she threw for 137-07 at the State Tournament!
Right now she’s playing softball and doing so at a higher level than I’ve about seen anyone do it at the HS level. This season as a Sophomore, Payton has hit 15 HR’s, 34 RBI’s and has a batting average of .464! 😳 She actually hit 10 HR’s before she even began the year this year, hitting 4 as an 8th grader on varsity in 2024 and hitting 6 as a Freshman last year. She has 25 career HR’s and she’s not even halfway done with her HS career! 😮 She is also the team’s ace. She’s currently sporting a 1.79 ERA on the mound with 55 Strikeouts!
Payton is actually a former wrestler. As an 8th grader, she was a member of the first ever organized Mediapolis Girls Wrestling Team. To be honest, I don’t recall her ever losing a match. She went 3-0 with quick, easy pins most nights. She doesn’t wrestle anymore, for I think she plays basketball, but she has been awesome at that too!
Payton is the daughter of Robbie and Alicia Harris. Robbie is a former Mepo HS wrestler. Any of you remember 2005 Mepo HS State Champ, Micah Keller (RIP)?! Guy was like a little brother to me. Anyways, if you were ever around Micah in those days, you probably met Robbie, for those 2 were inseparable. Payton’s little sister, Harper is also having a great softball season this year as an 8th grader!
🐐 in the works! Great job! 🥎 🏃♀️
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