By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director
MONT ALTO, Pa. - Senior Spotlight: This Q&A series will feature 2020 Penn State Mont Alto spring senior student-athletes and the impact COVID-19 has had on their season.
Name: Clark Payne
Sport: Baseball
Primary Position: 1B/RHP
Hometown/High School: Shenandoah Junction, W.Va. / Heritage Academy
Major: Business
Academic Achievements (include PSUAC or USCAA honors here; Dean's List, GPA only shared if they wish for it to be known, etc.): 2019-PSUAC Spring All-Academic, 2018-PSUAC Spring All-Academic Team, 2017 PSUAC Champions
- What has been your favorite memory while participating in baseball at Mont Alto?
My team winning the conference tournament in my freshmen year. It was a very exciting experience to be part of.
- What advice do you have for your younger teammates or recruits that are looking at coming to Penn State Mont Alto?
My advice for younger teammates is to keep calm and be confident while on and off the field. I wish the team at Mont Alto the best of luck in the future and hope to stay connected with them
- Are there teammates, coaches or family members you would like to thank for having a positive impact on your playing career?
I would like to thank my parents for supporting me. I would also thank everyone on the Penn State Mont Alto baseball team and staff for all the fun memories over the course of my career.
- What are your post-graduation plans? (short and long-term)
I plan on finding a job within the business field. I am still unsure of a particular job, but I feel that the internship that I will be completing t in the summer will help me figure out what I want to do within my long-term future.
- What impact did athletics have on your experience as a college student?
I have worked very hard for keeping up with my schoolwork while playing baseball. This helped me to adopt a strong work ethic and helped sharpen other life skills that translate to the real world.
- What is your favorite memory outside of athletics at Penn State?
One of my favorite memories was going to one of the home men's basketball games during my sophomore year. The game was very exciting, I believe Mont Alto won in overtime against another PSU campus.
- What life lessons did you learn while playing baseball at Mont Alto?
What I learned from playing baseball on campus was that just having a positive attitude can go a long way in whatever task you do. How you feel really affects what you are doing and could affect the people around you.
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