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Washington High School senior Gary Payne was born in Dover, De. and moved to Washington with his family when he was five. He’s always played sports and aspires to continue in college. One of his senior highlights came two weeks ago when he was crowned Homecoming King.

1. Is it good to be King?

Gary: (laughs) It was for a while, but it’s kind of worn off now. There’s not really any lasting perks from it, but it was very cool to hear my name called at the pep rally. Micha (Lilley, who was voted Homecoming Queen) and I ran on the same ticket, so it was cool that we both won. It’s a good feeling to know quite a few people like me and it was fun when my family congratulated me.

2. You are a linebacker/defensive lineman in the fall, a center in the winter and throw the shot put, run the 100 meters and are part of the 200 meter relay in the spring. What’s your favorite of the three?

Gary: I like them all, but I love football. My dad encouraged me to play in the Washington Youth Football League after we moved here and I grew to love it. We won three Super Bowls with the Eagles, Colts and Vikings, so that made it even more fun.

3. What attracted you to football to make you stick with it?

Gary: I was always big and people told me I had a chance to be really good. I was on the JV my freshman year and I scored a touchdown against the varsity first team defense as a running back. That told me I could compete with the best and made me work harder to improve.

4. What are your favorite college and professional teams?

Gary: I’ve always been a New York Giants fan, even though they have struggled for a while and I’ve liked Duke in basketball for a long time. I enjoyed watching (point guard) Tyus Jones win a national championship his freshman year and now I root for them in football because of Terry (Moore).

5. What kind of influence had Terry Moore had on your career?

Gary: He’s been a big help and a great role model. I saw how hard he worked to improve every day and I was in our media center when he signed with Duke. That’s when the goal of playing college football became real to me. Here’s my teammate going to Duke. I can play in college too if I keep working.

Bonus question:

6. What are your college plans academically and athletically?

Gary: I was in the top three at my position (defensive end/linebacker) at the Appalachian State, Old Dominion and N.C. Central summer camps. All of them have stayed in touch and I’m visiting Central next month. I see myself as an edge rusher with the potential to grow and get stronger. I plan on majoring in Exercise Science. I took Sports Medicine I & II with our former trainer, Jeff Malt, and really enjoyed it. I even tape some of our guys before games now.