Payton Washington is a name you might want to remember. Her journey is nothing short of inspiring, and if she sets her sights on the White House, I wouldn’t bet against her making it there.
Washington, a standout on Baylor’s top-ranked Acrobatics & Tumbling team, is channeling her experiences into a mission to revive the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and potentially launch a nonprofit for gun violence survivors. Her drive is unmistakable. “There are a lot of boxes that I want to do,” she shares, and knowing her, she’s going to check them all with unmatched determination.
Her coach, Felecia Mulkey, sees this drive firsthand. “Payton is constantly working to improve,” Mulkey notes.
“She’s unstoppable. Once she masters something, she’s already eyeing the next challenge.”
Washington’s resilience is legendary. In April 2023, she was shot three times in a harrowing incident while returning from cheer practice.
Despite severe injuries, including a replaced spleen and numerous surgeries, she defied expectations by leaving the hospital in just a week. Her recovery was nothing short of miraculous.
“It hurt, but I knew this wasn’t the end,” she recalls. Her determination was clear: if she could take those first steps, the sky was the limit.
Baylor’s support was unwavering. Mulkey and her team assured Washington her scholarship was secure, no matter what.
This gesture meant everything to her. “I thought, ‘This is a transaction.
And if I’m not able to fulfill my part, they’re not going to want me anymore.’ But they proved me wrong,” she reflects.
Fast forward five months, and Washington was back in action with Baylor’s team. Her freshman year was nothing short of spectacular. She earned multiple accolades, including NCATA Freshman of the Year, and was a key player in Baylor’s ninth consecutive national championship.
Washington’s journey is far from over. Her motivation now is to “grow the sport” of acrobatics and tumbling, which the NCAA recently sanctioned as a championship sport. “Being a voice for our sport, a voice for change, a voice for women athletes - that’s what I’m going to do,” she asserts.
Her faith has also deepened during her time at Baylor. She was baptized earlier this year, a testament to her personal growth and the supportive community she’s found. “I was longing for this relationship with God,” she shares, eager to see how it evolves.
As for her future, Washington is exploring medical sales but isn’t ready to leave the sports world behind. “I wish acro was in the Olympics, because I would so do it,” she muses. Wherever she goes, you can be sure she’ll bring the same passion and drive that have defined her journey so far.