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Biography
A SILVER LINING
It appears David Payne is able to find the silver lining in almost any situation.
A walk-on turned All-American, an alternate to the podium and a hopeful to a medalist; Payne has overcome great odds to become one of the best hurdlers in the world.
At the 2008 Olympic Games, Payne took silver in the 110m hurdles, a bright spot in what was a disappointing Olympic Games for USA Track and Field. As he celebrated with the American flag draped on his body, he threw up the number 5-1-3 to recognize the city of Cincinnati, where he attended college.
Payne’s Olympic accomplishments were not his first taste of international success. After finishing fourth in the 110m hurdles at the 2007 USA Outdoor Championship, David just missed a roster spot for the World Championships held in Osaka. A phone call at 5:30 a.m. informed him that American record holder Dominique Arnold had to drop because of injuries and they would like him to take his spot. That night David flew out to Japan to compete.
A long flight meant a short time to prepare, but David easily breezed through the qualifiers and took home a bronze medal in the 110m hurdles, running a personal best and shaving two-tenths of a second off of his time from the USA Outdoor Championships.
BEARCATS' BEST
Athletics have always come easy for Payne. At Wyoming High School in Ohio he was a multiple sports star, excelling in track, just like his mother, a former track star and alumnus of Wyoming High. Payne, who didn’t start running until his junior year of high school, won races with ease and enjoyed numerous victories, but applied to the University of Cincinnati with no intention of running.
An athlete at heart, Payne felt lost without competition and talked to the track coach about walking-on. Confident in his abilities, Payne told Bearcat head coach Bill Shnier he would win a conference championship the next year. Although surprised by the guarantee, Shnier quickly became a believer in Payne as he saw an unparalleled work ethic.
Payne’s prediction was a little off. It wouldn’t take him a year to win a conference championship, because he did so as a walk-on freshman, winning the Conference USA 110m hurdles championship. Payne would go on to become one of the most decorated athletes in Bearcat history, earning to two All-American honors and winning two more C-USA championships while earning C-USA All Decade accolades for his accomplishments.
While Payne grew up without an active father in his life, he points to his mother, aunts, uncles and coaches as being positive role models. His time in college, under the guidance of Coach Shnier and hurdles coach Elisha Brewer, helped mold him into the man and athlete he is today.
Now renowned internationally as one of the best hurdlers, Payne will compete in competitions across the globe. As an Olympic medalist he will work with companies to help build brand awareness and drive revenue, act as a motivational speaker at schools, conventions and banquets and make numerous media appearances.
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