By Dan Canastra

Idris Payne is having himself a remarkable track season. In the eight races the sophomore standout has had this season, Payne has failed to take the top spot only once. Still, his winning ways started at a younger age.

Payne ran track throughout high school where he was an outstanding performer. His team was the Bronx City Champions in 1997 and 1998. During his freshman year, he won the indoor MVP honors, and his sophomore year he received the cross country MVP.

In his senior year he won the all-league, all-city, and team MVP. It is no surprise that he has brought his winning ways to the collegiate level.

Payne runs the 200 and 400 meter races. Sherman Hart, the head coach of the track team, said that his best event is yet to be determined due to the fact that he has just started running the 200 and has had great success with it. Payne also takes part in the 4×400 relay race.

Recently, at the Great Dane Classic, Payne tied a 23-year old record in the 400, held by Michael Ferrari, with a time of 47.75 seconds.

“The 400 felt good but I ran by myself the whole race and wasn’t pushed at all,” said Payne.

He felt that his performance could have been even better if the competition in the race were able to keep up with him, and push him to run even faster.

During the meet, Payne also ran the 200 where he received a first place finish. His two first place finishes in the 400 and 200 helped Northeastern win the classic, edging out Albany 118.5-112. Payne also received the honors of being named the Most Outstanding Performer of the day.

“It felt really good because I felt that I did my best, I ran hard in all three races,” he said. He also participated in the 4×400 relay.

On Jan. 11 at a Harvard meet Payne broke another school record. He ran the 200 in 21.70 seconds, breaking the record previously held by Ben Thurston and Dave Klemic with a time of 21.88 seconds.

“I was tired after the first 100 and just ran to win, I had no idea that I broke the record,” he said.

Coach Hart is very impressed with Payne’s accomplishments thus far this season.

“He is fearless, very coachable, he does whatever the coaches tell him to do, he is a coaches dream,” said Hart. Hart also mentioned how hard he works each and everyday at practice to be the best runner that he can be.

Payne’s personal goal for the rest of the season is to qualify for the NCAA nationals.